Marcos checks Cebu road, flood projects

CEBU, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday inspected two major infrastructure projects in Cebu, assuring residents that the government is addressing longstanding concerns involving a landslide-damaged section of the Metro Cebu Expressway in the City of Naga and recurring flooding along the Mananga River in Talisay City.

The President first visited the rehabilitation site of Segment 3A of the Metro Cebu Expressway in Barangay Cantao-an, City of Naga, before proceeding to the Mananga River flood control area in Talisay City.

The visit, however, also renewed attention to the concerns of dozens of landowners in Naga who continue to seek compensation for properties allegedly damaged by the landslide that affected the project area.

During the inspection, Marcos recalled how a portion of the expressway became unusable after a landslide struck the area.

“Nandito tayo sa isang section ng Metro Cebu Expressway na nasira two years ago ng 2024 at nag-landslide dito. Nasira yung daan,” the President said.

He noted that workers from nearby industrial facilities had been forced to walk to work regardless of weather conditions because vehicles could no longer pass through the damaged section.

“So finally, pinangako natin na matatapos ito by June. Ito na ngayon tayo para tignan at inspeksyonin,” Marcos added.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon informed the President that the rehabilitated section is already passable.

“Actually, madadaanan na po today, Mr. President,” Dizon said.

Marcos observed that while the roadway can now accommodate traffic, additional safety measures are still being installed.

“Lalagyan ng slope protection ito para hindi na guguho ulit,” he said.

According to the President, engineers adjusted the road alignment farther from the ravine and reinforced the area to prevent another collapse.

He emphasized that the damaged roadway had disrupted operations of businesses in the area, particularly manufacturers producing camera lenses for mobile phones.

“Dahil sa pagka-lubak, yung produkto nila pagdumadaan dito sa daan na ito, nababasag,” Marcos said.

“kaya't napakasayang naman at nakakahiya sa ating mga investor na hindi natin sila inaalagaan ng mabuti,” he added.

Affected residents seek payment

While government officials highlighted the project's progress, several residents continued to press for compensation for damages allegedly caused by the landslide.

Helen Maturan, a landowner from Riverside, said affected families were hoping government agencies would compensate them for lands and crops lost during the incident.

“Ang among pag-anhi, nagtapok mi mga landowner mohangyo mi nga magpabayad mi,” Maturan said.

She claimed portions of their properties, including coconut trees, banana plants and other fruit-bearing crops, were bulldozed without compensation.

“Ang amo lang, amo bayran nang gipalit jud, hinagoan jud na namo,” she said.

Maturan also expressed concern over the stability of the area during heavy rains.

“Wala na, liki-liki na jud. Kung uwanon, mohunlak jud na,” she said.

She added that while some residents were offered relocation sites, many remain hesitant to move because of the distance and lack of basic services.

Also among those seeking compensation was 58-year-old landowner Nina Dador, who said she repeatedly visited the DPWH office to follow up on payment for a hut she claimed was never compensated despite being similar to structures that reportedly received payment.

“Nakakita ko nga the same structural, nakadawat man sila pero ako wala man,” Dador said.

She explained that she and her family were staying in Cebu City during the pandemic because her child required regular monitoring at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center due to a mental health condition.

Dador said compensation would help her family settle debts incurred for their current residence.

“Need jud mi nga mabayran mi kay gamitonon baya namo na. Kanang sa atbang, inutang baya namo na,” she said, adding that promises of payment have remained unfulfilled for several years.

DPWH open to dialogue

For its part, the DPWH maintained that some of the claims raised by residents involve properties that were not covered by the agency’s approved right-of-way acquisition plans.

Atty. Brando Ray Raya, chief of the DPWH Right-of-Way Acquisition Legal Division, said certain properties cited by claimants were not included in the project’s parcellary plan.

“Wa gyud ni naigo sa among project. But apparently, na-damage ni siya because of the landslide,” Raya said.

He said the agency is exploring possible forms of assistance while assessing the extent of the damage sustained by affected residents.

“We're looking for ways unsaon pag-compensate sa iyaha,” he said.

Raya emphasized that the damage cited by residents was allegedly caused by a landslide and not by direct acquisition for road construction.

“But again, the damage was not due to the fault of the DPWH. Because nilihok man ni siya due to natural causes,” he said.

Despite this, he said the agency remains willing to discuss concerns with affected families.

“Willing mi to sit down,” Raya said.

He added that around 100 to 120 properties within the project area were affected by right-of-way acquisition, with some compensated through negotiated sales while others remain subject to expropriation proceedings.

Four lanes instead of two

Marcos said the government accelerated rehabilitation works, resulting in a wider roadway than originally planned.

“Ito dapat two lanes lang ito. Pero pinaspas natin kaya ang nangyari, twenty-four seven, nakagawa tayo ng four lanes,” he said.

The President explained that the expanded roadway would provide additional traffic capacity even if one side becomes inaccessible because of future emergencies.

“Kahit na may mangyari dito sa pagguho, meron pa rin tayong two lanes,” he added.

Marcos also disclosed that another road section serving industries in the area is expected to be completed within a year.

The inspection came months after Dizon committed in January to complete the troubled section before the onset of the rainy season.

At the time, Dizon acknowledged that Segment 3A had been plagued by delays and structural issues.

The collapsed section of Segment 3A in Barangay Cantao-an sustained major damage following heavy rains and soil instability in October 2023.

Rehabilitation works resumed in July 2025 under the DPWH and contractor QM Builders.

Segment 3A spans 4.55 kilometers from Barangay Pangdan to Barangay Cantao-an and forms part of the 56.94-kilometer Metro Cebu Expressway linking Naga City in southern Cebu to Danao City in the north.

Marcos pushes Dam project

After inspecting the expressway site, Marcos proceeded to the Mananga River area in Talisay City to assess ongoing flood control measures with local officials.

The President said the government has upgraded existing flood mitigation structures and drainage systems to prevent water from accumulating in nearby communities.

“Inayos natin yung flood control structures dito,” Marcos said.

“Nay drainage na kasi kapag naipon ang tubig dito sa likod, yung mga flood control structures may lalabasan na tubig," he continued.

He reiterated that portions of the riverbank remain classified as no-build zones and stressed the need to relocate families living in hazardous areas.

“Ito talaga ay no-build zone kaya ginawan ng paraan together with the help of LGUs sa pag-relocate sa mga kababayan natin na nakatira dito kasi nasa peligro sila,” Marcos said.

The President also revealed plans to construct a major dam upstream of the Mananga River as part of a long-term flood control strategy.

“Mayroon na tayong plano para maglagay ng dam sa taas,” he said.

According to Marcos, the proposed structure will be a 70-meter dam and has already been included in the National Expenditure Program for 2027.

“Titiyakin natin na hindi magagalaw yung budget na yon pagdaan sa budget process,” he said.

Marcos said the project forms part of the government's continuing efforts to protect communities from flooding and other weather-related disasters.

“Patuloy na ang ginagawa natin para hindi maging perwisyo noong pagdaan ng bagyo,” he said.

“We will continue to come, we will continue to build, and we will continue to repair,” the President added. (CEBU NEWS)