Davao Floods Spark Blame Game Between Congressman and DPWH

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 29 July 2026) — A heated exchange has ensued between Congressman Paolo Z. Duterte and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) following significant flooding in Davao City last week. The Matina and Talomo rivers overflowed, causing widespread inundation across several districts. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, upon inspecting the Talomo River, declared the incident "nakakagalit" (infuriating), noting that the last major flood in the area occurred in 2019. He directed local DPWH personnel to begin immediate dredging operations, emphasizing that quick response funds could be utilized and that the task was neither difficult nor expensive. Secretary Dizon also questioned why nearby gabions, which could have mitigated further flooding, were not adequately extended to cover the flood-prone Taal area. He expressed frustration that despite the existence of a JICA Davao Flood Control Master Plan submitted to the national government as early as 2023, it remained unacted upon, with funding only proposed for the 2027 General Appropriations Act. Congressman Duterte, in a statement, echoed Dizon's sentiment of anger but directed it towards the DPWH's own records. "Enough with the finger-pointing. It's time for the DPWH to look at its own records before pointing fingers at everyone else," Duterte stated. He argued that the answer to why substantial actions were not taken after 2019 lies "within your own office." Duterte asserted that the national government had not acted on proposals from the local government. He criticized the prolonged suffering of Talomo residents and the delay in implementing the master plan. "The records will tell you everything — who prepared the projects, who approved them, who failed to fund them, and who allowed a completed master plan to gather dust while Dabawenyos continued living in danger," he challenged. He further urged action, "If it's truly infuriating, then don't stop at expressing anger. Open the books. Name names. File cases." Duterte concluded by stating that flood control is a multifaceted issue requiring funding, river improvements, dikes, drainage systems, watershed management, and the implementation of a long-term master plan. "The blueprint already existed. What was missing was political urgency."