7th district gets bulk of flood funds: ‘Lion’s share’

CEBU, Philippines — The 7th District of Cebu has emerged as the biggest recipient of flood control projects in the entire island, cornering an unprecedented ?12.06 billion worth of projects—nearly half of the P25.521 billion total allocation for the province.

Data consolidated through the government’s Sumbong ng Pangulo platform revealed that of the 395 flood control projects listed for Cebu from 2022 to 2025, 162 are concentrated in the 7th District alone.

The district, composed of the municipalities of Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc, and Ginatilan, received more than three times the allocation of the next highest-funded district.

Across Cebu, flood control projects amount to ?25,521,334,141.57, including drainage systems, revetment protection, box culverts, and seawalls, as part of the government’s effort to mitigate climate-induced disasters.

The 7th District’s allocation dwarfs that of the 1st District, which followed with ?3.01 billion across 36 projects, and the 6th District, with ?2.09 billion for 28 projects. The 3rd District also posted significant allocations with ?1.95 billion for 42 projects.

The 5th District had ?1.40 billion for 21 projects, while the 4th District was allocated ?1.31 billion covering 26 projects. Meanwhile, the 2nd District had the lowest allocation, with ?359.36 million for 11 projects.

Among Cebu’s cities and municipalities—excluding the tri-cities—Malabuyoc, Ronda, and Dumanjug stood out as the top beneficiaries, each receiving allocations surpassing ?2 billion.

Malabuyoc led the list with ?3.1 billion for 38 projects, making it the single municipality in Cebu with the highest flood control budget. Ronda followed with ?2.6 billion across 34 projects, while Dumanjug secured ?2.18 billion spread across 32 projects.

Alegria accounted for 23 flood control initiatives, while Talisay City and Mandaue City recorded 20 and 19 projects, respectively. Tuburan had 14, Ginatilan 13, and Moalboal 12.

Cebu’s tri-cities

Cebu City received the biggest share of flood control projects among the tri-cities in Metro Cebu, with a total budget of ?1.82 billion covering 44 projects, according to official data.

Mandaue City followed with ?1.35 billion allocated for 19 projects, while Lapu-Lapu City received the least, with ?141.25 million for six projects.

Is the 7th district flood-prone?

The concentration of projects in the 7th District is backed by hazard maps from Project NOAH, which classify several of its towns as having medium to high flood risk.

In Dumanjug, parts of the municipality were identified as vulnerable to flooding, while sections of the Samboan–Barili Road were marked in red, signifying high hazard levels.

Malabuyoc, despite its coastal terrain, also recorded several sites at medium to high risk of flooding.

Ronda, the third biggest recipient of projects, was flagged with areas spanning low, medium, and high flood hazard zones, particularly along the Argao–Ronda Road.

The question, however, is whether the volume of projects matches the urgency of hazard conditions, especially when compared to other districts with equally vulnerable areas but significantly less funding.

The 2nd District, for example, received only ?359 million for 11 projects—just 3 percent of the 7th District’s share.

No-flood funds

Notably, municipalities in the 2nd District such as Alcoy, Samboan, and Santander recorded zero flood control allocations.

The same gap is evident in the 3rd District, where Aloguinsan got no projects despite parts of its coastlines being flood-prone.

Northern towns were also not spared. In the 5th District, Borbon, Poro, Tudela, and Pilar received nothing.

In the 4th District, Bantayan—an island town constantly exposed to storm surges—was likewise left out.

Even Cordova in the 6th District, located in low-lying coastal areas, did not receive any allocation for flood control works.

Billion-peso contractors

QM Builders emerged as the single largest recipient of flood control contracts in Cebu, bagging 89 projects worth ?7.15 billion.

Other billion-peso contractors include Quirante Construction Corporation with ?3.19 billion across 41 projects, WTG Construction with ?2.38 billion for 32 projects, and Legacy Construction Corporation with ?1.48 billion for 17 projects.

In Malabuyoc, Ronda, and Dumanjug, most of the projects are handled by these same contractors, particularly QM Builders.

One of the most expensive single contracts in Cebu is the ?173.7 million construction of a flood mitigation structure along Tipolo River in Mandaue City, awarded to a joint venture between ZLREJ Trading and Construction Corporation and GICAR Construction, Inc.

Despite its massive infrastructure pipeline, DPWH-7 has assured the public there are no “ghost projects” in Cebu.

Regional Director Danilo J. Villa Jr., in a previous article, stressed that all flood control initiatives in Central Visayas are “on the ground and verifiable.”

The launch of sumbongsapangulo.ph coincided with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to audit flood control projects initiated since July 2022.

While 395 flood projects are listed under the website, DPWH reported that Cebu has recorded 414 flood control projects, 15 of which are being implemented this year alone. — (FREEMAN)