Ouano wants contractors behind substandard flood control projects blacklisted

Local

MANDAUE City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano is pushing to ensure all flood control projects in the city follow strict standards in materials and design, adding that contractors who fail to comply should be barred from taking part in other city projects.

“If ma-find out, naa man ta’y due process, ipa-blacklist gyud nato sila,” Ouano said on Monday, August 18, echoing the earlier warning of his sister, Congresswoman Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon.

Ouano clarified that while his sister’s role as representative is to secure funding for the projects, it is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that serves as the implementing agency.

“Again, I agree nga dapat standard gyud o taas-taas gyud og standard ang mga flood control sa syudad, so maayo ipatawag gyud ang DPWH ug ang contractor,” he said, stressing that flood control measures are necessary “to save lives and properties.”

The mayor’s remarks followed the collapse of a riprap along the Butuanon River in Barangay Casuntingan on August 15, which displaced thousands of residents across Metro Cebu.

Five houses were destroyed, forcing the evacuation of more than 2,300 people from 11 barangays in Mandaue.

Congresswoman Ouano-Dizon earlier visited the site and directed On Point Construction, the project’s contractor, to carry out urgent repairs.

The company immediately began work and expects to finish within three days.

Engr. Martin Tan of On Point Construction explained that the collapse was triggered by water entering behind the unfinished section of the structure, which split the river flow and created pressure.

He maintained that the foundation and lower portion of the riprap remained intact and denied that the structure was substandard.

The affected section was part of a P90-million riverbank protection project under Mandaue’s P12-billion flood control program.

So far, P3.8 billion has been released for drainage upgrades, riprap construction, and other flood mitigation works.

The mayor had earlier ordered a full inventory of all flood control projects in the city to ensure accountability and monitoring.

The City Engineering Office is consolidating records with the DPWH Sixth District Engineering Office, while the City Planning and Development Office was tasked to update the list of locally funded projects.

The DPWH reported that 51 flood control projects worth P3.8 billion have been implemented in Mandaue from 2022 to 2025, many of them along the Butuanon River and Mahiga Creek.

Some remain unfinished due to clearance issues but are accounted for.

Ouano said while total elimination of flooding is unrealistic, gradual improvement should be visible, such as reduced flood levels and roads remaining passable during heavy rains.(MyTVCebu)