Davao City First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte on Wednesday called for accountability over a stalled flood control project in Davao City, backing criticism from Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon but urging him to identify and charge those responsible.
Duterte issued the statement after Dizon expressed anger over the condition of flood control works along the Talomo River in Barangay Bangkal, where families living near a dike were again affected by flooding.
“Tama ka, Vince Dizon. Nakakagalit talaga,” Duterte said, noting that residents in Talomo endured another major flood seven years after 2019 despite the existence of a flood control master plan.
He also questioned why the project had yet to move forward despite Dizon's admission that funding would only be proposed under the 2027 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
"So ang tanong, asa man diay ang plano sa tulo ka tuig? Natulog? O gipatulog?" Duterte said.
While agreeing with Dizon's criticism of the delayed project, Duterte argued that responsibility should be traced within the DPWH itself.
"You asked why nothing substantial was done after 2019. That's a fair question. But the answer is not outside the DPWH. Naa mismo sa inyong opisina," he said.
Dizon earlier lamented that a significant amount of government funds had been allocated for the project but key works, including raising the dike, were not completed.
During an inspection, the public works chief voiced frustration over the delay, pointing out that the project dated back to 2019.
“Pitong taon niyong hindi ginawa 'to? 2019 pa 'to tapos wala nang ginawa dito,” Dizon said, adding that the prolonged inaction was unacceptable.
The public works chief ordered the immediate dredging of the Talomo River to increase its capacity to carry water from upstream areas and directed the continuation of the dike elevation project.
Duterte, however, emphasized that flood mitigation requires more than dredging alone. He said effective flood control also requires adequate funding, river improvements, dike construction, drainage systems, watershed management, and the implementation of a long-term master plan.
"The blueprint already existed. What was missing was political urgency," he said.
He added that Dabawenyos deserve immediate action instead of more delays, stressing that flooding does not wait for budget cycles or government paperwork.
"The people of Davao deserve better than delayed promises. They deserve accountability, decisive leadership, and the immediate implementation of a flood control plan that should have started years ago," Duterte said.
