FLOOD control projects meant to manage flooding in Cebu did not perform as intended during the recent onslaught of Typhoon Tino. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed the failure, stating the flood control initiatives in Cebu “did not do their job.”
“I think we have clearly answered that question — obviously, they did not. Poorly planned, poorly executed, and we don’t know if there’s any foul play involved,” Dizon said on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in a media interview during his visit to Talisay City.
He stressed that there needs to be a complete rethinking and replanning of flood mitigation not only in Talisay but across the entire Cebu province. “But I think moving forward, clearly, there needs to be a complete rethinking and replanning of flood mitigation not just in Talisay but in the entire Cebu Province,” he said.
During his visit to Mananga Bridge 3 in Sitio Isla Verde, Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City, Dizon observed that the area’s use of revetment and gabions is unsuitable for massive floods.
“Because I was telling mayor na itong mga ganito revetment na yan at itong mga gabion na yan, pero pag ang bagyo na talagang sobrang lakas, once in 50 years, once in 20 years flood event, hindi ka naman pwede magtayo nang pader na hanggang taas nang bubong,” Dizon noted.
(Because I was telling the mayor that with structures like these revetments and gabions, if the typhoon is extremely strong—like a once-in-50-year or once-in-20-year flood event—you cannot possibly build a wall that reaches as high as the roof.)
Dizon highlighted the core problem, citing Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas: there is no flood control infrastructure in the upstream areas, specifically along the Mananga River, which is supposed to regulate water flow. “The solution is really to control the water from upstream, from the mountain going down,” he said. “Sad to say hindi yun ang ginawa (that was not done) in the past 10 or 15 years,” he added.
The lack of upstream control and substandard infrastructure may have contributed to the flooding. Dizon pointed out, “Inadequate because the most important flood control was not done,” referring to the missing infrastructure in the upstream part of the Mananga River. He also noted that major river systems in Cebu lack dams upstream. “Kasi kung walang control sa taas, wala tuloy-tuloy yan (Because if there is no control upstream, it will continue unchecked),” he said.
Regarding substandard flood control projects, he said he would leave the investigation to the Independent Commission on Investigation, which currently probes flood control issues in the country.
Meanwhile, DPWH heavy equipment, including backhoes and dump trucks, are ready to help local government units in clearing roads and unclogging drainages.
“Now, our job — together with the mayor and the DPWH team — is to start planning the proper infrastructure that will truly mitigate flooding here in Cebu,” Dizon said, adding, “And clearly, this is not what we are seeing right now.” He stated that planning will first require coordination with agencies, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as hydrology experts.
“But it should not take long, we should start building by next year, bago magkaroon na naman ng panibagong tag-ulan, at mauulit na naman ito,” he committed. / CDF