- Proves Bicol Rep. Ridon lying
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways official records and on-site inspection disprove Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon’s claim that several flood-control projects here in Davao City are incomplete.
Ridon recently claimed that riverbank protection projects along the Talomo and Matina Rivers were unfinished, citing photos as evidence of supposed anomalies, which Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte debunked earlier.
Official records from the DPWH Davao City District Engineering Office corroborate the findings. The DPWH Project and Contract Management Application Web indicated both projects were fully completed as of October 31, 2025.
The Construction of Revetment along the Talomo River, Sta. 3+817 to Sta. 4+022, right bank (Contract ID 21LB0253), was implemented under the 2021 Regular Infrastructure Fund with a budget of P64.8 million.
The Construction of Revetment along Matina River, Matina Pangi Road Section, right bank (Contract ID 23LB0012), was implemented under the 2023 Regular Infrastructure Fund with a budget of P94.5 million.
Both projects in Talomo and Matina Pangi were executed by Genesis88 Construction Inc. and supervised by the DPWH-11 office. The Sumbong sa Pangulo website also noted the two projects as complete.
A field inspection along Matina Pangi Road in Talomo District revealed that the flood-control revetments, including projects with Contract IDs 21LB0253 and 23LB0012, had been fully completed and are operational.
Photos taken during a field validation on September 29, 2025, showed the revetments were completed, have been in used , and properly maintained. The structures now protect against riverbanks from erosion and flooding in the densely populated Matina Pangi area.
Residents also noticed the improvements. “It used to flood here when it rains, but since its completion even during heavy rain, flood waters doesn’t overflow,” said a resident near the Matina River, who refused to be named.
DPWH-11 spokesperson Dean Ortiz earlier assured the public that Davao City’s infrastructure projects, including bypass roads, bridges, and public buildings, are closely monitored by the department, especially those related to flood control.
The DPWH emphasized that all project information is publicly accessible online through its transparency portal, with updates on project status, timelines, and budgets verified every month to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Davao City called Ridon’s “expose” misleading, urging him to validate his facts. As of this writing, the lawmaker has not clarified the basis of his claims or addressed the discrepancy between his photos and official DPWH records.
Ridon’s fabricated allegations runs counter to the statement of Presidential Spokesperson who publicly confessed that no defective flood control projects in Davao were reported as the city is not flooded.
