CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 for a complete list of all flood control projects in the city since 2022, including their cost and status.
The request came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reported that Cebu Province ranks second nationwide in the number of such projects, even though it is not among the top 10 most flood-prone provinces.
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, Archival told Beyond the Headlines, SunStar Cebu’s online news and commentary program, flooding persists despite numerous projects, and the local government unit (LGU) is often excluded
from planning.
“Two weeks ago, nagpadala ko og suwat sa atong DPWH nga I want to understand and we want to know the projects that are being undertaken,” he said.
(Two weeks ago, I sent a letter to DPWH saying I want to understand, and we want to know the projects that are being undertaken.)
New projects’ approval
Archival vowed to withhold approval for new projects unless the DPWH provides a clear schedule, commits to 24-hour work and assigns personnel to reduce traffic disruption.
Archival wants the City and DPWH to prioritize an upland rainwater catchment that can store excess water and supply farmers. He also pushed for short-term “desilting” of clogged waterways, noting the drainage master plan is outdated.
In some areas, he said, river water levels are higher than canal mouths, causing water to back up.
“Instead of going down, ang tubig mosaka na paingon sa dalan (the water rises and moves toward the road),” he said.
Archival plans to rent an amphibian desilter to clear silted rivers, citing encroachment on river easements and a narrow river mouth as major causes of flooding.
The mayor vowed to continue the initiative started by the Task Force Gubat sa Baha and urged residents to dispose of waste properly, aiming for a 45 to 50 percent improvement in the flooding situation within three years, or up to 80 percent if possible. / EHP