DPWH-7 proposes multi-billion projects for Cebu in 2026

Local

A TOTAL of 796 projects with a P26.53-billion price tag.

That is the scale of the 2026 spending plan the Department of Public Works and Highways-Central Visayas (DPWH-7) unveiled for Cebu Province, a package that could shape the province’s infrastructure landscape over the next few years.

The proposed projects were laid out during the session of the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP). For nearly four hours, district engineers detailed how the funds would be divided across roads, bridges, drainage systems, seawalls, and other public works.

A large chunk—almost P5 billion—was specifically earmarked for flood-control and calamity-mitigation projects, an allocation that officials said reflects Cebu’s increasing vulnerability to typhoons and rising sea levels.

Breakdown of spending

The bulk of the budget comes under the Convergence and Special Support Program, which covers 554 projects worth P11.28 billion. These range from road expansions and bridges to infrastructure designed to support tourism and local industries.

Sixteen locally funded projects worth P432 million were also listed. However, not all areas benefited from this category.

Districts 1 and 6, along with Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and the 7th District, did not receive allocations under locally funded projects, a gap that some SP members noted during the deliberation.

National Road Projects (001) comprise 172 projects totaling P9.85 billion. The 3rd District leads in this category, securing 33 projects worth P1.67 billion. At the opposite end of the scale, the 6th District was allotted just two projects valued at P120 million, raising questions about how priorities were determined.

Flood-control allcoations

The flood-control and calamity-related projects (002) include 54 proposals worth P4.95 billion. This category has been closely watched given the frequency of floods in urban and low-lying areas of Cebu.

The 7th District received the highest share here, with 16 projects amounting to P1.96 billion. Cebu City’s 1st engineering district followed with 10 projects totaling P985.83 million.

The Cebu 1st District was allocated P683 million for 13 projects, while the Cebu City 2nd District received P475 million for six projects.

The 4th District obtained P402.57 million for five projects, the 3rd District P180 million for two projects, the 5th District P165 million for one project, and Lapu-Lapu City P100 million for a single project.

Notably, the 2nd and 6th Districts, along with Mandaue City, received no allocations for flood-control works.

Engineers clarified that these calamity-related projects also cover canals, seawalls, drainage systems, and revetments, infrastructure considered essential to mitigating disasters.

SP Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III said the provincial board must align its annual budget deliberations with DPWH 7’s pipeline to avoid duplicating efforts, pointing out that coordination could save the province time and resources.

SP Member Stanley Caminero added that DPWH 7 should submit its finalized proposal to the SP’s Committee on Infrastructure for further review, saying this would ensure that board members can scrutinize details and provide input before the projects move forward.

Beyond funding, provincial officials expressed frustration over delayed or unfinished road projects, many of which have been blamed for worsening traffic congestion in major thoroughfares.

The board urged DPWH district engineers to speed up work on pending projects to reduce disruption to daily commutes and commerce.(MyTVCebu)