ICI, DPWH expands probe; flags Cebu flood control works negligence

Inspectors from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) have raised concerns over possible negligence in Cebu’s flood control network after inspectors found structural lapses in several river systems that failed during Typhoon Tino’s onslaught, resulting in some of the worst casualties in the province.

ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have broadened their review of Cebu’s flood defenses as investigators link project lapses to multiple failures recorded during Typhoon Tino. 

The expanded probe now covers roughly P50 billion in flood control projects built across the province between 2016 and 2025.

“A lot, I think roughly from 2016 to 2025, we’re talking about roughly more than P50 billion,” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said when asked how many Cebu projects were under scrutiny.

He indicated the agency could not yet determine how many of these projects had irregularities, noting that validation efforts remain ongoing, and will look at the projects and ‘whether that helped, whether that was detrimental, whether it didn’t help’.

Dizon also pointed to the 2017 national river-basin master plan, saying the investigation includes determining why its recommendations were not fully observed in Cebu. 

“But that needs to be referred to in the [2017] master plan. Because the plan is there. Why wasn’t that implemented? That’s what (former DPWH) Secretary Babes (Singson) and I asked about what happened in Cebu. So, we will have to look into that,” he justified.

On Nov. 16, ICI teams visited flood-affected communities in Cebu City, Mandaue, Talisay, Liloan, and Compostela as part of a separate inspection. 

These included locations along the Butuanon and Mananga Rivers, which both overflowed during Typhoon Tino, flooding communities along the rivers.  

Early findings suggest potential negligence or misconduct that could result in administrative or criminal penalties, according to Rodolfo Azurin Jr., ICI special adviser and main investigator.

“A masterplan should be followed…. Definitely, someone should be held liable; that’s why our investigation, called by the president, is ongoing. He kept reminding us that ‘no one should be spared,’” he said.

According to investigators, DPWH-7 gave priority to revetment projects rather than the vertical structures needed to control water flow.

The ICI claimed that this sequencing error reduced the overall effectiveness of flood prevention. Technical teams are currently examining the materials used at various locations, including steel grade and cement strength. 

They also stated that their objective is to determine if national standards were adhered to and whether any deviations made the effects of Tino’s excessive rainfall worse.

Typhoon Tino has claimed 224 lives nationwide since November 4, including 158 in Cebu. Most casualties were attributed to flash floods, landslides, and debris strikes triggered by record-breaking rainfall across the province.