‘FAKE INFO PEDDLER’: DPWH rebuts mayor’s ‘ghost’ flood project yarn

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) has accused Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu of “peddling fake news” after she claimed that almost PHP 4 billion worth of flood control projects in Iloilo City were poorly built, unfinished, or missing, insisting that all projects are legitimate, funded, and either completed or actively under construction.

DPWH records show that St. Timothy Construction Corporation — ranked third among the 15 contractors with the most flood control projects nationwide — is implementing three major projects in Lapuz, Iloilo City:

1. Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure in Lapuz, Section 1– Project cost: PHP 141,855,006.72; status: ongoing with 98.83% completion.
2. Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure in Lapuz, Section 2– Project cost: PHP 141,799,122.88; status: ongoing with 95.82% completion.
3. Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure – Waterways Rehabilitation and Coastal Protection, Section 1– Project cost: PHP 119,418,737.94; status: suspended at 51.47% completion due to obstruction by an existing power barge.

Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz Punong Barangay James Conlu confirmed in an interview with DYSI Super Radyo Iloilo that the projects are visible on-site and already benefiting residents.

“These are existing projects. We have three sections of flood control projects,” Conlu said. “They were stopped because of permit issues but they have resumed. We are thankful because these are almost finished and we have felt the impacts.”

He added that DPWH has been inspecting the works at least once a month and that these were long-held dreams of the community, dating back to his time as a barangay kagawad.

DPWH records also show that Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation — ranked second among the country’s top flood control contractors — was awarded the Construction of Flood Mitigation Structures, Iloilo Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Project, Section 2 with a contract cost of PHP 144,703,111.61. As of July 31, 2025, the project was 35% complete, with delays caused by bad weather and insufficient delivery of sheet piles.

Separately, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected flood control works in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, which are part of the city’s comprehensive flood mitigation program:

1. Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure, Section 9– Contractor: F. Gurrea Construction, Inc.; project cost: PHP 144,380,194.17; 89.62% complete as of Aug. 13, 2025.
2. Construction of Flood Mitigation Structure, Section 10– Contractor: F. Gurrea Construction, Inc.; project cost: PHP 144,703,111.61; 76.52% complete as of Aug. 13, 2025.

In an interview with GMA News, Treñas-Chu said that some projects are difficult to find because of vague location descriptions in the specifications.

“Yung iba hindi namin makita kasi sometimes sa projects naka-specify lang, naka-general lang slope protection for Iloilo, walang specific address. Kaya hindi din kami makabigay ng specific kung ano ba, details kung ano na, kumusta na yung project. Kaya ghost talaga kasi hinahanap natin. Hindi natin mahanap, nagtatago, or maybe, with the help of DPWH, they can locate these and they can explain to us kung saan ba at makita na natin yung ghost. Baka buhay pala,” Treñas said.

In an Aug. 12, 2025 press statement, OIC District Engineer Roy Pacanan lambasted the mayor’s remarks, emphasizing that all projects were awarded through open and competitive bidding, with allocations based on the General Appropriations Act.

He said cost estimates are derived from the Construction Materials Price Database to ensure accuracy.

Pacanan also criticized several stalled Iloilo City Government projects, including the Construction of Class “AA” Iloilo City Slaughterhouse in Brgy. Tacas, Jaro; the Design and Build Scheme for the Iloilo City Hospital in Brgy. San Pedro, Molo; and the rehabilitation of public markets, including the Jaro Big Market in Brgy. Desamparados.

According to DPWH records, the city secured PHP 180 million in bank loans for the slaughterhouse and PHP 2 billion for the hospital, a parking building, and the three public markets — all of which remain unfinished.

On Thursday afternoon, Treñas-Chu doubled down on her claims through a Facebook post, saying: “From the report handed to us last July 31, 2025, there were 90 projects implemented by ICDEO, based on the 2024 and 2025 status reports of ongoing infrastructure projects, but many lack clear details as to the exact locations or if these projects even exist at all. We do not know where these billions worth of flood control projects are actually located.”

She said the city government is questioning whether these projects are completed, functional, or even exist at all, adding that their combined worth is close to PHP 4 billion. She further asserted that these projects must be reviewed against the DPWH master plan to confirm their usefulness and to determine whether they may have worsened flooding in previously unaffected areas.

“President Marcos himself visited and saw these ‘palpak’ and ‘delayed’ flood control projects. If proven that these projects serve no purpose for our LGU and the public, and worse, cause harm to the lives, properties, and safety of the Ilonggos due to flooding, then these should be demolished entirely. We are accountable to our constituents. That is why proper coordination with the LGU is essential to avoid negative impacts on our people,” the mayor said.