Ex-Cebu gov insists prov’l gov’t has nothing to do with failed flood control projects

Local

SOME say Cebu’s P26-billion flood control projects failed due to failed leadership—but former governor Gwendolyn Garcia says the finger points elsewhere.

Garcia clarified that the massive projects were funded through the national budget and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), not by the Provincial Government.

To address allegations linking her administration to the projects blamed for worsening flooding during Typhoon Tino, she posted a recorded video of her interview with One News, with a caption stating, “Now it’s clear: the P26-billion flood control fund was part of the national budget and implemented by the DPWH, not by the Cebu Provincial Government.”

In the interview, Garcia said, “First of all, let me just clarify what you said — you speak of P26 billion for Cebu Province, but that P26 billion are not provincial funds.

"That’s a national budget, and the national budget is allocated to the DPWH which distributes these so-called flood control projects, many of which are insertions to the budget," she added.

She emphasized that the Province had no role in implementing these projects and noted that Cebu City operates independently of provincial jurisdiction.

Garcia cited Sections 27 and 28 of the Local Government Code, requiring national agencies to coordinate with local governments before executing projects, and recalled that her Provincial Board had passed an ordinance mandating consultation and approval for national projects, with former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos visiting Cebu to discuss the policy.

Governor Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro criticized the recent flooding, calling it “preventable” and attributing it to failures in environmental protection and watershed management under past administrations.

"I am furious about the recent flash flood that claimed lives and destroyed properties. This tragedy did not have to happen. Our people deserve leadership that acts decisively to prevent these disasters and protect our communities,” Baricuatro said.

She also raised concerns over the Central Cebu Protected Watershed and the continuation of quarrying and development, which she said contributed to soil instability and increased flood risks.

Garcia’s legal consultant, Jong Sepulveda, defended the former governor, describing Baricuatro’s claims as “half-truths, misconceptions, or even outright lies.”

He clarified that the Lusaran Dam proposal cited by the governor falls under Cebu City and the Central Cebu Protected Landscape, managed by the Protected Area Management Board chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Even how almighty the title Provincial Governor may sound, the proposed Lusaran Dam is clearly outside her exclusive competence and jurisdiction,” Sepulveda said.

He added that quarry permits issued during Garcia’s term followed due process and that no provincial permits were granted within protected areas, with environmental protection primarily the responsibility of the DENR.

The debate over the P26-billion flood control projects has revived public scrutiny of Cebu’s challenges in watershed management, environmental regulation, and infrastructure oversight.(MyTVCebu)