By Mary Joy Cavañas
Mayor Raisa Treñas led the ocular inspection of Phase 1 of the flood mitigation structure at Brgy. Mohon, Arevalo in Iloilo City on September 2, 2025.
The inspection of the structure was also joined by representatives from the City Engineer’s Office (CEO), Office of the Building Official (OBO), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Mayor Sofronio Fusin Jr. from the municipality of Oton.
The said structure — with its Phase 1 amounting over Php90 million and with a span of 300 meters — was handled by the contractor, St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation which is reportedly owned by the controversial Discaya family.
This was also implemented through the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) which included an esplanade and a bike lane.
In an interview, Chairman, Kap. Rico Francis Acap said they did not expect such project will exist in Brgy. Mohon, which also covered other nearby areas. He added that the said project was also not coordinated with their barangay.
“It was during the project’s construction that Typhoons Crising and Dante first entered and caused flooding in our barangay,” Acap said.
During the inspection, the project’s signboard did not indicate a starting date, target completion date, and some key details, raising concerns about unclear information and possible lack of transparency.
Under the Circular No. 2013-004 of the Commission on Audit (COA), signboards of government projects should include essential details such as project name, implementing unit, description, funding, cost, and duration.
Acap cited that the “almost completion” of the project was about three months ago, stating that it began around January 2025.
He also conveyed the residents’ fears and concern, noting they were assured with positive benefits that the project will bring them, but the reality in their barangay shows otherwise.
He also added that they did not expect that the embankment of the structure would reach five meters, contrary to the three meters that was indicated during the visit and orientation of the ICDEO during their visit to the said barangay. OBO also confirmed that the supposed embankment of the project was only three meters.
“Based on their presentation (ICDEO), the project was highlighted for its positive benefits, particularly flood mitigation, which was supposed to help address flooding in our area. However, after what happened, our residents are now fearful that whenever typhoons come, flooding might keep happening again,” Acap said.
Also, Oton MDRRMO Head Malvin Nad said that they will be reviewing and further study the flood mitigation structure located in the said area to check if it is directly attributed to the flooding in Oton.
He stated that when the southwest monsoon occurred which lasted four days, flood affected Oton, a municipality just beside Arevalo district. It was also discovered that the flood water which is supposed to go directly to Iloilo River, went back to the said town before going to Batiano River.
Nad cited the barangays in Oton affected by the previous flooding which include San Nicolas, San Antonio, Poblacion North, Alegre, Buray, Tagbac Sur, Lambuyao, Cagbang, Tuburan, Mambog, Cabolo-an Sur, and Cabolo-an Norte.
He also stressed that flooding in their town is common but not as longer compared to the recent flooding due to southeast monsoon.
