2027 National Expenditure Program: Cebu gets P17 billion infra funding

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has earmarked about ?17 billion for infrastructure projects in Cebu under the proposed 2027 national budget, including five dams worth an estimated ?1.1 billion to help address the province's recurring flooding problems.

Newly appointed DPWH Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced the funding during an inspection of the Mananga River in Talisay City on Thursday, November 12.

Lopez said the five water impounding structures would be built in strategic locations across Cebu as part of the government's long-term flood mitigation program following the widespread devastation caused by Typhoon Tino last year.

Two dams are planned in Cotcot, while one each will be built in Mananga in Talisay City, Butuanon in Mandaue City, and Bulacao in Cebu City.

The five dams will cost an estimated ?1.1 billion, with procurement expected to begin ahead of the targeted construction start next year.

Lopez clarified that the approximately ?17-billion allocation covers the administration's entire infrastructure program for Cebu under the proposed 2027 national budget.

“The entire P17 billion, more or less, is for the 2027 budget,” Lopez said.

He said the projects were among President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s infrastructure priorities for Cebu, which former DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon had pursued when he was still heading the agency.

Lopez described the dams as crucial to the province's long-term flood mitigation strategy, explaining that their locations in elevated areas would allow rainwater to be collected and controlled before flowing downstream to populated communities.

Dizon, who accompanied Lopez in the inspection, said the five dams would be part of the implementation of Cebu's 2017 Flood Mitigation Master Plan, which he noted had remained largely unimplemented despite being drawn up several years ago.

He stressed that dams were among the master plan's most important components, noting that none had been built under the earlier program.

“The most important component of the 2017 master plan is the dams. There have never been dams constructed here, and that is one of the most important things,” Dizon said.

He said Marcos had committed funding for the five structures, expressing confidence that construction would begin next year.

Aside from building dams, Dizon stressed the need to restore rivers to their natural courses and prevent structures from obstructing water flow.

He urged local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce no-build zones in flood-prone areas, warning that flood-control infrastructure would be ineffective if settlements and other structures continued to encroach on waterways.

“We can no longer allow construction in these areas. These must strictly be no-build zones,” he said, referring to the Mananga River.

Dizon also cited improved drainage systems and additional gabion structures as complementary flood mitigation measures.

 Mananga river project

During the inspection, Lopez underscored the need to complete ongoing flood-control works along the Mananga River, warning that unfinished sections could compromise the entire system.

The works include completing a canal that will channel water toward the river, with the DPWH set to continue construction to finish the flood-control system.

Lopez said department engineers had also stressed the importance of properly designing bridges and other infrastructure to prevent them from obstructing natural river flows.

He said flood-control projects must be planned and implemented as an integrated system rather than as isolated structures.

Lopez also cited the no-build zone along the Mananga River, crediting the local government under Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas for its implementation.

He said the approximately 80-meter easement was crucial to keeping the river channel clear and allowing floodwaters to flow freely during heavy rains.

Lopez stressed that coordination between the national government and LGUs was essential to ensuring the effectiveness of flood mitigation measures.

Dizon likewise urged local officials to enforce land-use restrictions in flood-prone areas and prevent construction along natural waterways and flood channels.

He said the national government would continue coordinating with Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro and concerned city and municipal mayors to implement the projects.

Dizon also noted that Marcos had visited Cebu three times, underscoring the administration's attention to the province's infrastructure and flood-control needs.

Dizon stressed that priority infrastructure projects must continue without interruption as Lopez takes over the DPWH leadership.

He said the leadership transition should not delay projects already identified and pursued by the administration, particularly those intended to protect communities from natural disasters.

“What is important, as the President has instructed us, is that we must keep working continuously. We must not stop, and we must not slow down,” Dizon said.

He cited several areas in Talisay City and Mandaue City where priority projects and site conditions needed assessment.

He also mentioned a project in Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City, and said he wanted to show Lopez the accomplishments of infrastructure initiatives undertaken during his tenure at the DPWH.

Dizon said the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino underscored the need to sustain infrastructure development and strengthen disaster preparedness.-  FPL (CEBU NEWS)