CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has raised concern over the structural integrity of a flood control project in Barangay Budlaan after finding that its retaining walls have already begun to collapse just a few years after construction.
During his inspection on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, Archival found that the stone foundations of the structure were poorly installed, making the wall vulnerable to water pressure.
“In my personal opinion as an engineer, that wasn’t really done properly because it was too easy; you were just piling up rocks,” Archival said.
He explained that the stones were stacked with little to no concrete binding and without steel bars (kabilya) to hold the foundation together. This, he warned, made the structure fragile and prone to collapse once subjected to the strong current of the Budlaan River.
The structure in question is a flood control project reportedly implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 2019. While official records on the contractor and project cost have yet to be confirmed, the riprap wall and bridge were intended to protect nearby homes and a National Housing Authority (NHA) relocation site from flooding.
What’s the problem
Archival’s inspection found that:
The wall was built mainly by piling rocks with little concrete reinforcement.
No steel bars were used to anchor the foundation.
Sections have already begun to collapse when hit by strong currents.
This kind of construction, according to Archival, falls below standard engineering practice and leaves the structure too weak to withstand heavy floods.
Who is at risk
The Budlaan River community, including residents of Sitio San Roque, faces the greatest danger.
Relocated families near the NHA site could be affected if erosion spreads.
Homes near the riverbank are already under threat. A house belonging to resident Nora Ramos was swept away in a flood last Aug. 12.
What do barangay officials say
Barangay Captain Nerissa Antolihao said they had been raising the issue for years. She explained that they had consistently reported the problem to City Hall so it could be addressed and charged to the disaster fund.
According to her, the concern had already been brought up during the previous administration, but no action had been taken. She noted that officials would coordinate only at the beginning of a project, but once it was completed, they would leave and never follow up.
Antolihao also noted that DPWH typically consults the barangay at the beginning of projects but not during or after construction.
How are residents coping
In the absence of long-term repairs, residents and barangay volunteers have taken matters into their own hands:
Barangay tanods and volunteers have been patching up the collapsed riprap with sacks filled with soil and gravel.
These makeshift fixes only provide temporary relief and are unlikely to withstand stronger floods.
Residents remain fearful that future storms could destroy more homes.
What happens next
Archival has directed the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) to draft recommendations for corrective measures. However, he acknowledged that since the project was built in 2019, it may no longer be covered by warranty, meaning repairs would likely need new funding.
Archival stressed the need for accountability, not just to resolve the current problem but to prevent substandard infrastructure from being built in Cebu City in the future.
Looking ahead
The Budlaan case underscores a recurring concern in Cebu City: public infrastructure projects that deteriorate far too quickly. With the rainy season ongoing, residents are calling for urgent intervention, fearing that without immediate repairs, the next flood could be even more destructive. / CAV with BK Abellon, USJ-R intern