Motorists navigate through a flooded stretch of the national highway Tipolo, Mandaue City following a heavy downpour the other day. | Photo by Joy Torrejos
CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — A total of ₱7.3 billion in flood control projects have been implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 6th Engineering District since 2022, most of them in flood-prone Mandaue City.
District Engineer Gumer Castillo said the amount covers 87 projects within the district, which includes Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Consolacion, and Cordova. Of these, Mandaue had the largest share—51 projects worth ₱3.8 billion—focused along major rivers and catchment areas such as the Butuanon River to address persistent flooding.
In Mandaue alone, two projects were completed in 2022, followed by 10 in 2023, 22 in 2024, and 17 ongoing in 2025, some of which remain suspended pending environmental clearances. Castillo said all project data has been submitted to the DPWH Central Office for validation.
“During my tenure wala jud tay ghost projects. Kampante ta ana, puros ni implemented and ongoing paning uban ug suspended,” Castillo said.
Consolacion and Cordova collectively benefited from 37 projects worth ₱3.2 billion, while Lapu-Lapu City recorded nine projects from 2022 to 2025 with a combined allocation of P306 million.
Castillo said each project was assigned geographic coordinates for proper monitoring. He noted that flooding incidents have been reduced during normal rainfall due to improved drainage capacity.
“So far nakatabang ni’g dako kay na enhance man nato ang mga capacity ani, atong napadako,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that flooding can still occur during heavy downpours in upland Cebu City, which sends excess water into low-lying areas of Mandaue.
Castillo also clarified that QM Builders—one of the 15 top contractors cited by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his recent report—has no projects under the DPWH 6th District. Castillo said the district handles projects up to ₱150 million, while larger contracts are managed by the regional office.
Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has asked the DPWH for a complete list of all flood control projects in the province.
She said the provincial engineering office confirmed that no such projects are funded directly by the Capitol, noting they are typically part of a national program or congressional initiative.
“If they will conduct an inquiry and investigation in Cebu in the spirit of transparency, then I will support it one hundred percent (100%),” Baricuatro said.
Provincial Information Officer Ainjeliz Orong said Baricuatro has sent formal communication to DPWH requesting detailed documentation.
“She (Baricuatro) wants for the report to be sent to her para ma view daan,” Orong said.
Mayor stands by QR Builders
On the other hand, Dumanjug Mayor Efren “Gungun” Gica defended local contractor QM Builders from insinuations of wrongdoing after the president identified the company as one of the top 15 contractors who have secured multi-billion-peso flood control contracts nationwide.
Gica said Dumanjug has benefited from the company’s projects, noting that QM Builders—owned by Engineer Allan Quirante and based in Dumanjug—employs an estimated 6,000 locals.
“QM Builders is a highly professional company whose projects have consistently brought significant benefits to our constituents…QM Builders, being based in Dumanjug and employing an estimated 6,000 of our citizens, is a vital partner in our local economy,” Gica said.
The mayor said he is willing to pass a resolution supporting the firm, stressing that no “ghost projects” occurred and that all contracts went through the Bids and Awards Committee in compliance with procurement laws.
Gica added that QM Builders has also funded barangay roads and chapels using its own resources.
“Bisan pa man og wala pa miy panagsulti, ako gihapon siyang suportahan sa kinasingkasing. Dako kaayo ang iyang natampo sa kalamboan sa among lungsod sa Dumanjug,” he said.
| Written by Jonnavie Villa/FPL
