Dizon returns to Cebu, eyes flood-control fixes amid P60B probe

Local

PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon returned to Cebu on Tuesday, Aug. 11, a day after the Ombudsman ordered a probe into some P60 billion worth of flood control projects across the province.

This time, however, the Cabinet official inspected flood-prone areas and announced measures to improve existing flood-control systems in the metro.

Dizon inspected flood-prone sites in Cebu City and Mandaue City, where he said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) would pursue projects to improve drainage and prevent seawater from worsening flooding.

In Barangays Basak Pardo and Kinasang-an in Cebu City, Dizon said decades of informal structures had obstructed the area's natural and man-made waterways.

As a result, the DPWH plans to reroute drainage from the national highway toward the South Road Properties (SRP) in coordination with the city and barangay governments.

“We have to find a way to bring the water down to SRP kasi doon talaga dapat mag-flow ang water,” Dizon said.

Dizon also inspected A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City, one of Metro Cebu's flood-prone areas.

There, he was joined by local officials including Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, Mandaue City Rep. Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon and Mayor Jonkie Ouano.

According to Dizon, the DPWH is extending the drainage line to Subangdaku and Mahiga creeks, with the projects already funded and targeted for completion by the end of 2026.

“So kung umulan ulit in the next couple of weeks and months, meron nang konting mitigation doon sa baha,” he said.

Additionally, the department is considering another project that will connect A.S. Cortes Street in Mandaue to the sea.

Dizon said a pumping station and floodgate will be built in 2027 to drain stormwater while preventing seawater from flowing back into the area.

“This is very similar to what we're doing in Metro Manila,” he said.

Dizon said the projects are part of a 2017 flood-control master plan for Metro Cebu that he and Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro had presented to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Finally, i-implement na natin,” Dizon said.

Dizon's visit came a day after Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered an investigation into about P60 billion worth of flood-control projects in Cebu, including possible ghost or substandard projects, bidding irregularities and possible unexplained wealth among public officials.

The probe followed renewed flooding in Cebu despite billions of pesos allocated for flood-control projects over the past six years.(RBE)