Billions of taxpayers’ money, yet Ilonggos still swim through floods and choke in traffic. From failed controls to defective flyovers and seawalls that failed to protect, what was promised as development has instead become disaster by design.
MIAGAO, ILOILO – Billions of pesos have been poured into flood control and infrastructure projects across Iloilo in recent years, yet for many communities, these public works have brought more frustrations than relief.
From ghost flood control projects, unfinished flyovers, to poorly constructed seawalls, citizens are left questioning whether these projects truly serve the people or serve as a profit scheme for contractors and government officials.
Public Works Across the Province
Photo courtesy of DPWH-Iloilo 4th DEO
Across the province, major projects are underway: flood controls along river channels, seawalls and coastal defenses in Miagao, as well as new roads and flyovers in the city. Some of these contracts are connected to firms tied to the controversial Discaya family, which has secured multi-billion-peso construction deals.
Concerns escalated after Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu ordered a halt and full review of the flood control projects tied to the controversial Discaya-owned firms. Residents in several barangays reported that instead of easing floods, the projects only made things worse.
To address these complaints, Treñas tapped specialists from the University of the Philippines (UP) and Central Philippine University (CPU) to conduct an independent study of the controversial projects, with results expected by November.
“Our project with UP will start this month. We want to review these projects so our judgment and solutions will be scientific,” Treñas said.
Flooded by Flood Control
In Mohon, Arevalo district, residents now say they endure deeper and longer inundation since a flood mitigation structure was built along the coastline of Iloilo River.
The project includes a huge portion of the Iloilo River taken up for a bike lane but the path is barely passable due to obstructions.
An investigation found that the P91-million project, implemented by one of the Discaya firms, does not appear in the official record of the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO). Transparency boards at the site were missing key details, including contract IDs, timeline, start dates, and completion dates.
Mohon Barangay Chairman Francis Acap, along with Oton Mayor Sofronio Fusin, blamed the structure that submerged Mohon and seven Oton barangays during Crising, Dante, and Emong in July.
The same unease is felt in Jaro. Along the Jaro River, residents remain wary of a flood control project that has yet to show clear benefits. In Barangay Tacas, locals discovered that the contractor handling the ongoing mitigation works is Alpha and Omega, another firm tied to the Discaya family.
On September 9, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) revoked the licenses of all 9 firms owned by the Discaya family, effectively halting their operations.
Twin Flyover Fiasco
Photo courtesy of Panay News/Facebook
In Pavia, Iloilo, the infamous Ungka flyover has become a byword for botched infrastructure. Once touted as a P680-million solution to traffic, the project has since ballooned to P1 billion after repairs exposed major defects.
Not a kilometer away from Ungka is the Aganan Flyover. Costing around P800-million, the construction has been paralyzed since 2022 and now stands as a daily reminder of persistent inefficiencies and project bottlenecks in public works
Commuters endure gridlock and longer travel hours, while businesses along the route complain of dwindling sales as motorists are forced onto congested alternative roads.
Rather than offering relief, the two flyovers have become cautionary tales of poor planning and questionable governance.
Politics in the Mix
The controversy, however, goes beyond defective flyovers or flawed flood controls. In sworn statements, Sarah and Curlee Discaya accused Uswag Ilonggo Rep. Jojo Ang, of years of kickbacks and political pressure to secure public work contracts.
Ang has since categorically denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. He said he was “totally surprised” his name was dragged into the issue and maintained that he has always served with integrity.
Ang is also the nephew of the owners of International Builders Corporation (IBC), the second biggest contractor in Region VI, which built the defective Ungka and Aganan flyover.
Data from the sumbongsapangulo.ph website further shows that the firm has secured 22 flood control projects worth a combined P1.55 billion across Region VI since 2022.
Coastal Defence in Miagao
Photo courtesy of Daily Guardian
In Miagao, Iloilo, seawalls were built to shield the coastal barangays from storm surges and erosion.
DPWH records show that the P49 million project was awarded to IBC in 2022, with another P49 million contract awarded to A.D. Pendon Construction & Supply, Inc. in 2023.
But barely a year after the seawall’s completion, Typhoon Kristine damaged portions of the seawall in Barangay Baybay Norte, followed by severe flooding a week later in Barangay Sapa that affected about 85% of the residents during Typhoon Leon.
For fisherfolk, the project has been as disruptive. The seawall cut off their regular fishing routes, forcing them to move farther along the coast, near the University of the Philippines Visayas’ Ocean Wetlab.
“Kung magpalawod garing ti mabudlayan gid eh kay ti to ron ang pumpboat ga ano sa UP, magduso [ng pumpboat] budlay”, said Melvin Naciongayo, a fisherman and resident of Barangay Sapa. (If we go out to sea, it’s difficult because the pumpboat is in UP, pushing [the pumpboat] is hard.)
Locals also claim the structure has made flooding worse in Sapa. Once knee-deep, floodwaters now rise to chest level during heavy rains.
“Sa baynte katuig namon diri, amo man lang na natabo [na hanggang liog]. Kay kang ligad, dangat lang sa tuhod,” a resident of Barangay Sapa told Daily Guardian.
(In our 20 years here, this is the first time [the flood reached our necks]. Before, it would only reach our knees.)
“Halimbawa kung matapnan to kang mga kahoy nga dagkol ang mga tubig gapundo ridya grabe tubig kang ligad ang diyan kara ay sa jalousie dangat ang [tubig], taga ja namon ra ay [chest level],” Naciongayo added. (If big wooden debris blocks the culvert, the water gets stuck here and floods badly. Last time, the water rose so high it reached the jalousie windows — already chest level.)
“Wara gane kami kamaan kara nga asta ra ja may seawall mong,” said Wilma Siarez, another resident. (We didn’t even know that the seawall would extend this far.)
Locals further complained that they were not directly consulted nor engaged in dialogues about the said project.
Ilonggos push back
Photo courtesy of Aksyon Radyo Iloilo/Facebook
Discontent has since spilled into the streets. On September 17, Manibela launched a three-day nationwide transport strike to protest the PUV phaseout and corruption in government infrastructure projects.
The strike was short-lived after the group heeded appeals from transport agencies and commuters.
The momentum carried to Iloilo. On September 18, Piston and multisectoral groups gathered under the stalled Aganan flyover in Pavia, where about 200 members of No to PUV Phaseout Coalition Panay, BAYAN Panay, and other progressive groups staged an indignation rally denouncing alleged corruption and misuse of public funds in infrastructure projects.
The protests are expected to reach their height on September 21, the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law, when progressive groups will hold a major rally nationwide linking current corruption scandals to the country’ s long struggle against abuse of power.
Stephanie Juntilla is a junior student from the Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics. She has shared her voice as a staff writer for Pagbutlak, since 2023.
Joshua Ticot is a junior student from the Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics. He has shared his voice as a staff writer for Pagbutlak, since 2025.
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