Archival seeks residents’ help

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival is calling on city residents to help identify problem areas in public infrastructure.

The mayor’s request is in line with the city government's intensification of its audit of projects funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the City’s Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

In his Facebook post yesterday, Archival encouraged citizens to submit reports and clear photographs of damaged roads, drainage issues, flooding, open excavations, and long-stalled projects.

These reports will be used in taking immediate action—including holding contractors accountable and enforcing project deadlines. “We are verifying and evaluating the status of these projects using our official records,” Archival said.

To accomplish it, the city government needs the community’s support. “But we need the public’s eyes on the ground. If you see something wrong, send us a report. We will act,” declared Mayor Archival.

Reports may be submitted through the Mayor’s official Facebook page or the Cebu City Public Information Office page in social media.

Each submission must include the exact location, photos from multiple angles, and any relevant details such as how long the problem has persisted.

The mayor’s appeal also comes amid mounting frustration over substandard flood control structures and delayed roadworks across the city.

On September 11, Archival personally inspected a collapsed riprap wall at the National Housing Authority (NHA) relocation site in Barangay Budlaan.

The structure, built in 2019 under a DPWH flood control project, had collapsed due to erosion of its foundation—prompting concerns over engineering integrity and contractor oversight.

“What I saw was unacceptable,” Archival said earlier. “The stones were simply piled and covered with thin cement, without proper reinforcement. That kind of work cannot withstand the force of water.”

He has since ordered the DEPW to submit a full report identifying the contractor and recommending corrective measures.

Barangay Budlaan Captain Nerissa Antolihao also reported another failed flood control project in her area, worth ?5 million, which collapsed just two months after completion.

Archival, who was previously unaware of the second project, committed to inspecting it personally.

The Budlaan inspection followed a meeting on September 10, where Archival summoned DPWH contractors to City Hall to address widespread complaints from residents.

Among the projects under review are road and drainage works in Banilad, Tisa, Pardo, Nivel Hills, Lahug, V. Rama Avenue, and the Ayala Heights bridge in Barangay Sirao.

Archival issued a series of directives to improve transparency and enforcement: contractors must post signage indicating project timelines, deploy trained traffic enforcers and cleanup personnel per kilometer of work zone, and sign formal undertakings to complete their contracts on schedule. Those who fail to comply will face daily penalties and possible blacklisting.

Archival also instructed the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to deny permits to contractors who failed to attend the meeting, citing their lack of accountability.