No charge of wrongdoing: DPWH defends flood contractor

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7) has defended QM Builders, one of the 15 contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as having secured a large share of flood control projects nationwide.

DPWH-7 Regional Director Danilo Villa Jr. said inclusion in the list does not imply any wrongdoing on the part of the company.

Villa issued the clarification on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after public discussions were sparked by data from sumbongsapangulo.ph, a government portal that lists contractors involved in major infrastructure projects across the country.

“Mini-made mention itong mga contractors nationwide na nakakuha ng mga malalaking kontrata ay hindi naman po tinutukoy nya (Presidente Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) na mayroong ginawang hindi po maganda,” Villa told reporters.

He explained that the President’s directive to review these projects is aimed at ensuring they are beneficial and aligned with national development goals.

Aside from QM Builders, Villa noted that many smaller contractors are also handling various projects in Cebu.

DPWH data show that from 2022 to 2025, 576 projects were completed in Region 7, which covers Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, with another 382 still ongoing. These projects have a combined allocation of about P73 billion.

The presidential portal’s records indicate that Cebu alone has completed 414 flood control projects in recent years, despite not being among the country’s top 10 flood-prone provinces.

DPWH-7 officials, including Villa, are set to present detailed reports on Cebu’s projects to Congress today, August 13. All regional directors have been invited by the House Committee on Public Accounts to report on the status of flood control projects in their respective areas, including accomplishments, pending works, and recommendations to improve efficiency.

The review follows Marcos’ remarks describing certain observations about flood control spending as “disturbing” and “impossible.” He earlier revealed that of the P545 billion spent nationwide on such projects over the past three years, about P100 billion—or 20 percent—went to just 15 contractors, including QM Builders.

When asked about the company’s possible share of these funds, Villa said he could not give exact figures but estimated that it could be between P6 billion and P10 billion based on ratio and proportion.

Villa credited QM Builders for playing a key role in Cebu’s recovery after Typhoon Odette in December 2021.

“Ang QM ang isa sa malaking contractor sa Region 7 na tumulong sa program ng Cebu,” he said, recalling how the company repaired a broken bridge and restored a 1.3-kilometer coastal road rendered impassable by the typhoon.

He stressed that QM Builders has complied with all legal and procedural requirements, including passing the open competitive bidding process, before undertaking projects.

Villa added that if QM Builders won contracts outside Region 7, it was because the company qualified and participated in open tenders elsewhere.

“Yung kakayahan din po siguro ng kaniyang company ay naging kaakibat sa pagkuha niya ng mas malaking proyekto ay naisip po natin siguro na dumaan naman po ito sa tamang proseso, nai-bid po yung project sa open competitive bidding, at nakita naman po natin na ang ibang mga proyekto na ginawa po niya ay naging effective po sa panahon ng recovery…” he said.

According to its official website, QM Builders was founded in 2003 in Barangay Poblacion, Dumanjug, Cebu, and has since grown to employ over 2,000 workers, including more than 150 professional staff such as engineers and project managers. The firm has handled major works in Dumanjug, Carcar City, and Bogo City, making it one of the province’s most active contractors.

Villa assured the public that DPWH-7 observes strict transparency in its bidding process, including live streaming of bid openings. Contractors must meet licensing, financial, and resource requirements and pass post-qualification checks before being awarded any project.

He added that delays in projects are reviewed to determine their causes before a contractor is considered for new awards.

DPWH urged to coordinate

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government is urging the DPWH to improve coordination, saying the agency has not consistently communicated its plans with the city in recent years.

Councilor David Tumulak, Chairman of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in both the executive and legislative branches, made the call as President Marcos Jr. acknowledged that Cebu City is among the areas heavily affected by flooding during heavy rains.

Tumulak said now is the most fitting time for the DPWH to strengthen its coordination with the city government and to assess the city’s in-house flood control projects and plans.

“Kay ang nahitabo man gud karon, ang DPWH panagsa, mudiretso rag patuman sa mga programa nila sa mga drainage projects diri sa atong dakbayan without proper consultation sa dakbayan sa Sugbo hinungdan nga atong dakbayan sab malangay sa uban nga pagpatuman,” Tumulak said.

He stressed the need to synchronize the city’s projects with those of the DPWH, saying proper coordination may be the key to solving the city’s long-standing flooding problems.

Tumulak said it is about time the city and DPWH work hand in hand to efficiently utilize the funds appropriated for these projects.

“That’s a reality (no coordination) bisan asa nga mga barangay, modiretso lang sila sa barangay, mopatuman sila’g mga programa nga wa gani proper coordination sa mga barangay… there should have been coordinated effort,” he added.

The councilor said it is crucial for the DPWH to coordinate with the city government before implementing projects, as the city already has a drainage master plan that must be studied and followed.

Currently, Tumulak said the city’s priority is to improve the capacity of rivers and clear waterways.

Tumulak emphasized that solutions to flooding must be proactive. He noted that there have been visible improvements from past flood control measures but added that more intensive efforts are still needed.

Just in Basak Pardo alone, Tumulak said about 17 sitios are flooded during heavy rains.

“But walay drainage projects nga napatuman ang DPWH, wala…kay ang problema dira is the lot acquisition,” he said.

Tumulak said he had raised this concern with the DPWH, suggesting that project proposals should also include lot acquisition. He noted that most DPWH projects focus solely on construction and often exclude funding for lot purchases.

He also pointed out that some flood-prone areas have already benefited from previous flood control projects. However, the challenge now, he said, lies in addressing the city’s remaining low-lying areas.

| Written by Jonnavie Villa