NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – A civil society group on Thursday, November 27, lodged a complaint against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in connection with 138 allegedly flawed flood control projects in Bacolod City.

The complaint was filed against DPWH officials: Negros Island Regional Director Denise Maria Ayag, acting Bacolod Engineering District Engineer Leah Jamero, her predecessor, Engineer Abraham Villareal, and their staff.

Lawyer Renecito Novero, convenor of the Council of Concerned Citizens (C3) in Bacolod, personally submitted the complaint to the ICI. Copies were also sent to the Senate blue ribbon committee, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Senate through Senator Risa Hontiveros.

Novero on Friday, November 28, told Rappler the complaint covers 138 “flawed” and unfinished flood control projects in Bacolod from 2022 to 2025, including one for P655.80 million in 2022, P1.02 billion in 2023, P748.21 million in 2024, and another P584.60 million in 2025. The four projects alone amounted to some P3 billion.

He called on the ICI, Senate blue ribbon committee, and DPWH to look into these projects as soon as possible.

Novero specifically cited the unfinished P152 million flood diversion channel in the Reclamation Area in Barangay 12, the P170 million flood control project in Barangay Pahanocoy, and three others in Lupit, Mandalagan, and Singcang-Airport rivers.

“We want ICI to call the attention of local project contractors and DPWH officials to explain why the majority of these 138 flood projects in Bacolod are almost defective or flawed. Then, we want ICI to recommend the filing of criminal and administrative charges against people behind these projects,” he said.

Novero said the complaint followed a nearly month-long investigation by their group before they submitted it to the ICI.

“In our complaint, we attached solid evidence that ICI cannot ignore,” Novero said. “We want ICI people to come to Bacolod and see the projects.”

The filing of the complaint followed severe floods caused by heavy and sustained rain from Typhoon Verbena (Koto) when it was still a tropical depression on Tuesday, November 25.

Floods in barangays Singcang-Airport, Banago, and Tangub reached rooftops, shocking residents.

Lawyer Ralph Sarmiento, dean of the College of Law at the University of Saint La Salle-Bacolod, said it was the first time he had witnessed such flooding in Bacolod in 40 years.

“People are now angry. They now demand accountability and transparency on billions of pesos worth of flood control projects in Bacolod,” said lawyer Cesar Beloria, another C3 convenor, adding he hoped the ICI would act on the complaint.

Meanwhile, anti-corruption group Tama Na-Negros said it will lead a Trillion Peso March 2.0 in Bacolod on Sunday, November 30, coinciding with other planned protest rallies. The group is led by Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon and former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela.

Organizers said they expect many Bacoleños and Negrenses to join the protest at Bacolod Public Plaza.

A protest march will begin at 1:30 pm, with Lupit Church and Capitol Lagoon as assembly points for southern and northern participants, respectively.

Buzon urged residents to leave their homes and join the rally, which he said condemns corruption that severely affects the poor.

He also asked participants to wear white t-shirts as a symbol against corruption.

Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay said a substantial number of officers will be deployed during the Bacolod rally.

The police have “activated a comprehensive security and public safety plan in coordination with local government units, emergency responders, and partner agencies,” Ibay said.

“A sufficient number of personnel will be deployed to manage crowds, traffic, emergency response, and monitor potential security concerns,” he added. – Rappler.com