KAPITANS CLAIM… Lack of coordination hinders Iloilo City flood control efforts

By Mariela Angella Oladive

An ocular inspection of flood control projects in Lapuz has revealed persistent communication gaps between the Department of Public Works and Highways–Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) and the Iloilo City Government.

The inspection, conducted Thursday, August 21, by the City Engineer’s Office and the Office of the Building Official (OBO), was joined by barangay captains and members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps (ICHPC).

Inspected areas included Don Esteban, Alalasan, Lapuz Norte, and Mansaya.

Projects reviewed included a PHP102.79 million flood mitigation project by F. Gurrea Construction, Inc., scheduled for completion in January 2026, and a PHP980,000 drainage repair along the La Paz–Lapuz Road in Barangay Alalasan.

Concerns raised by local officials

Barangay Captain Elfren Cenayo of Don Esteban criticized the DPWH for allegedly failing to coordinate with the local government.

He claimed the projects were a waste of public funds and suggested that rehabilitating the Mansaya-Budburan Creek would provide a more sustainable solution to flooding in the Lapuz and La Paz districts.

City Councilor Johnny Young, chair of the City Council’s Engineering and Infrastructure Committee, also raised several issues during the inspection.

Aside from poor coordination, he noted the presence of informal settlers along the creek and questioned whether an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) had been secured.

“This [ECC] is important because, since it is a creek, it requires environmental compliance,” Young said.

He added that portions of the creek had been converted into a roadway and that a motorcycle repair shop had been built along the waterway.

“Our question is whether this roadway has the necessary permits,” he said.

Young assured that his office would coordinate with the City Legal Office to determine the next steps and that future inspections would cover more than just a single district.

The city government’s official report stated that some projects were proceeding without a Detailed Engineering Design (DED), confirmed Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC) or Certificates of Non-Coverage (CNC), or feasibility studies.

However, it emphasized that these gaps do not necessarily reflect an absence of technical documents or intent, but rather a breakdown in communication between the implementing agencies and the city government.

The local government also committed to providing relocation sites for affected families, underscoring the need for proper coordination and process compliance before implementation.

Past projects and persistent flooding

A report published by Daily Guardian on August 18 noted that a PHP37 million flood control project in Barangay Mansaya, completed in May 2022, failed to prevent flooding.

The project, which involved constructing a 400-linear-meter concrete dike along Mansaya Creek, aimed to ease flooding in low-lying areas.

However, residents and barangay officials reported continued flooding, especially during heavy rains in July.

The ICDEO confirmed that obstructions along the creek—including embankments from private construction, reclaimed waterways, and illegal structures—prevented floodwaters from flowing naturally.

The agency recommended removing these obstructions to restore the creek’s natural flow.

While local officials attributed the continued flooding to poor planning and lack of coordination, technical verification is still needed.

Without historical flood data, hydrological studies, or official assessments, claims of project failure cannot be independently confirmed.

Coordination gaps do not necessarily indicate technical deficiencies.

Reviewing engineering plans, feasibility studies, and environmental compliance reports is essential—but as this case illustrates, effective communication must come first.