Capitol starts consultations on proposed dam projects

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government has begun consultations with mayors and various stakeholders across the province as part of efforts to explore the construction of dams aimed at strengthening Cebu’s long-term water security and flood mitigation measures.

The consultation held at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 18, came as the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7) pushes for a proposed network of dams along major river systems in Metro Cebu following the severe flooding caused by Typhoon Tino.

DPWH-7 Assistant Regional Director Nonato Paylado said discussions with local government units, academic institutions, and other sectors are now focused on refining the project proposals and completing the technical requirements needed for endorsement and funding.

“It was very fruitful,” Paylado said of the recent consultation meetings.

He added that the agency is also seeking technical assistance from the University of San Carlos in crafting the Terms of Reference (TOR) and project profile for the proposed dam structures.

“They're giving inputs that will improve further our dam proposals,” he said.

According to Paylado, the immediate goal is to finalize the TOR and supporting documents required by the Regional Development Council (RDC) Secretariat before the proposal can move forward for possible national government funding.

“Hopefully we will be able to really come up with a TOR and project profile. We're hoping that we will be able to comply with the requirements imposed by the RDC Secretariat for the supporting documents,” he said.

He explained that the proposal initially submitted to the RDC lacked sufficient details, prompting the agency to conduct further consultations and technical refinements.

“Initially among na submit didto medyo hilaw pa maong need i-refine,” Paylado said.

The TOR, he said, will contain essential information, including the scope of work, technical specifications, and other project components needed for stakeholders to fully understand the proposed dams.

“Major requirements needed is Terms of Reference, Project Profile. All those details will be put in there aron atong mga stakeholders will be able to know the dams,” he said.

Once the requirements are completed and endorsed by the RDC, Paylado said the project could qualify for inclusion in the proposed 2027 national budget.

“Kung pananglitan man gani maka comply mi eventually the RDC will endorse our projects and that will be a major step nga hatagan mig pondo,” he added.

DPWH-7 is targeting to resubmit the refined documents to the RDC within the next two weeks.

“We need to jumpstart aron ig 2027 makatabang aron di na mahitabo pag Bagyong Tino,” Paylado said.

The proposed project stemmed from the recommendation of DPWH-7 Regional Director Engr. Simon Arias, who earlier said a series of dam structures could serve as a long-term response to both flooding and water shortages in Cebu.

Under the proposal, the dams would function as major water impounding structures capable of reducing the velocity of flash floods during heavy rains and typhoons.

Stored water from the dams could also augment domestic water supply in Metro Cebu, which has long struggled with recurring shortages.

Aside from flood mitigation and water supply, the proposed dams are also envisioned to support irrigation, recharge underground water systems, improve vegetation and forest growth, revive freshwater fisheries, and potentially develop tourism sites around reservoir areas.

Among the river systems identified for possible dam construction are the Mananga River in Talisay City; Bulacao, Guadalupe, Kinalumsan, and Lusaran rivers in Cebu City; Butuanon River in Mandaue City; Cansaga River in Consolacion and Mandaue; Cotcot River in Compostela and Liloan; and Danao River in Danao City.

Arias earlier said the proposal was conceptualized internally by DPWH-7 following repeated flooding incidents affecting Metro Cebu communities.

“Para hindi na mag flash flood. It's a long-term solution to flooding,” Arias said in an earlier interview.

He also emphasized that the proposed structures are designed as “four-in-one” infrastructure projects integrating flood control, water supply, irrigation, and hydropower generation.

The agency estimated that each river system project may initially cost around P1 billion, with implementation expected to be carried out in phases over several years, subject to feasibility studies and approval from national government agencies.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro earlier expressed support for the proposal, stressing the importance of establishing reservoirs that could store water during heavy rainfall for use during droughts and supply shortages.

“How I wish we have dams, naa tay reservoir of water so dako untag matabang karon,” Baricuatro said in an earlier statement.

Paylado admitted that the proposed project remains a learning process for the agency, as this would be the first dam project in Cebu to be directly handled by DPWH.

“This will be the first dam in Cebu nga ang DPWH ang mag handle. Dili pa mi hanas, nangapa pa mi maong we need help and assistance from different sectors,” he said.

Despite this, the agency maintained that the increasing frequency of destructive flooding has underscored the urgency of pursuing long-term infrastructure interventions for Metro Cebu.

“We have come to this point nahitabo ang Bagyong Tino, we are now awakened nga grabi man diay ning bahaa. Something has to be done that's why we're going back to the need of a dam structure,” Paylado added. — FPL CEBU NEWS