Baricuatro orders province-wide audit of flood control projects in Cebu

Local

A PROVINCE-WIDE audit is underway to review Cebu’s flood control projects, with the provincial engineering department tasked to compile a full status report on all works under its jurisdiction.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro ordered the review after Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) data ranked Cebu second nationwide in the number of flood control projects implemented since 2022.

The DPWH reported that the province recorded 414 projects in the past three years, 15 of which remain ongoing in 2025.

Bulacan topped the list with 668, followed by Cebu, Isabela with 341, Pangasinan with 313, Pampanga with 292, Albay with 273, Leyte with 262, Tarlac with 258, Camarines Sur with 252, and Ilocos Norte with 224.

Baricuatro said any further action will depend on the audit’s findings.

Among Cebu’s completed flood control projects is the P120.6-million Ocaña River Flood Control Structure in Carcar City, which was finished on March 1, 2025.

The province also saw multi-million-peso flood control works along the Mananga River in Talisay City, handled by QM Builders.

These projects cover both the left and right banks in Barangays Lagtang and Jaclupan and include flood control works on the right and left sides of Sitio Tigib in Barangay Lagtang, each worth P144.75 million.

Additionally, revetment walls were constructed on the left and right sides of Sitio Bogo in Barangay Camp 4, each costing P148.5 million, and another revetment wall on the right side of Purok Narra in Barangay Jaclupan valued at P138.6 million.

In northern Cebu, the P49-million Taytayan Creek Flood Control and Drainage System in Bogo City was completed on February 9, 2025, while the P57.89-million Jagobiao Creek Phase 3 in Consolacion was finished on February 23, 2025.

Mandaue City also completed the P72.32-million Butuanon River downstream outfall project in Barangay Paknaan and the P67.45-million Orel Creek flood control in Barangay Banilad.

Other municipalities benefited from major upstream defenses such as the P149.84-million Cotcot River flood control project in Liloan, which was jointly undertaken by MC Geometric Proportions Inc. and Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corp.

The smallest project recorded was a P4.93-million drainage structure in Barangay Sacsac, Consolacion, completed on May 27, 2025, by XLA Construction.

QM Builders stands out as a major contractor in Cebu’s flood control efforts and ranks among the top 15 nationwide with the most flood-mitigation projects.

Besides the Mananga River works, the company also undertook projects in Dumanjug, Carcar City, and Bogo City, making it the most active contractor in the province.

Other contractors involved in Cebu projects this year include On Point Construction and Development Corp., ZLREJ Trading and Construction Corp., MC Geometric Proportions, Adamant Development Corp., XLA Construction, Ar Adlawan Construction, and Alpha & Omega General Construction and Development Corp.

The ranking was released as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. shared initial results from a nationwide audit of flood control spending.

From July 2022 to May 2025, the government completed 9,855 projects worth P545.64 billion.

Marcos said about P100 billion went to 15 contractors, five of which operated almost everywhere in the country.

He also revealed that 6,021 projects worth P350 billion lacked clear descriptions of the structures built or repaired, with some showing identical costs and designs despite being in different locations.

Marcos noted a mismatch between provinces with the most projects and those listed as the top 10 flood-prone areas in the National Adaptation Plan.

The Palace has launched sumbongsapangulo.ph for the public to monitor and report anomalies in infrastructure works.(MyTVCebu)