Panitan officials lament delayed flood control project

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Local officials of Barangay Ambilay in Panitan town have expressed dismay over the prolonged delay of a flood control project that has already consumed most of its budget.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st District Engineering Office reported to the Office of the Ombudsman-Regional Office that the flood control project in Sitio Plaza, Barangay Ambilay, is 71 percent complete.

However, Barangay Kagawad Ronnel Amar said the project has not even reached 50% completion, despite construction having started in 2024 and an original target completion date of May 2025.

Amar said PHP 58 million of the total project cost of PHP 67,704,609.51 has already been released to the contractor.

The project’s status came under scrutiny after representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman visited Barangay Ambilay on Jan. 19, 2026, to personally inspect the site following complaints from concerned residents.

Subsequently, the Ombudsman issued subpoenas ad testificandum to Barangay Ambilay officials on Jan. 22, 2026, as part of a formal inquiry into the project.

The Ombudsman has since taken sworn statements from the entire Barangay Ambilay council, including watchmen who were present when the project began.

Local officials and residents currently assess the project’s accomplishment at 58.49 percent, noting that only steel sheet piles have been installed by the contractor, JASA Builders.

Residents have raised concerns about safety risks posed by the unfinished and unattended structure, particularly its potential impact on the adjacent road.

Barangay Ambilay Punong Barangay Juan Baulite said several constituents have complained about the delay, which he noted has stretched to nearly two years.

Residents from Barangays Ambilay, Cabugao, and Cabangahan regularly use the road beside the project as a farm-to-market route.

Village officials and residents are hoping the issue will reach the attention of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon for appropriate action.

Meanwhile, the DPWH Regional Office VI, representatives of JASA Builders, and barangay officials held a dialogue on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, to address the unfinished flood control project in Sitio Plaza.

Amar said the meeting with the supervising engineer from JASA Builders and DPWH officials focused on identifying solutions to restart and complete the stalled project.

He added that barangay officials were dismayed after observing that some construction materials used in the project were not in proper order.

During the dialogue, it was agreed that work would resume with the re-driving of sheet piles, scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026, at around 2 or 3 p.m., to be jointly conducted by DPWH and the contractor.

Amar clarified that barangay officials did not file the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, adding that the matter remains under investigation.