Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed on Monday that the agency is targeting the completion of the remaining flood-control works along the Talomo River in Taal, Bangkal, Davao City before the end of the year, following the flash flood that hit the area on July 24, 2026.
Dizon made the statement during an inspection of the Talomo River where he reviewed ongoing flood-control improvements and the planned raising of the bridge in the area.
The July 24 flash flood damaged homes and displaced families living along the river.
Dizon said his inspection days after the incident showed significant gaps in the area’s flood-mitigation structures.
“Alam niyo naman, nung nandito tayo, a few days after noon, at nakita talaga natin na malaki ‘yung pagkukulang dito sa flood mitigation natin dito sa Talomo,” Dizon told the media.
Dizon pointed out that one section of the existing flood-control structure was nearly three meters higher than the portion protecting the Bangkal community.
“So, nung kung maalala niyo din, naglakad ako papunta doon, at meron akong napansin, napansin ko kaagad, ‘yung banda doon, ‘yung flood control, mas mataas kaysa dito. Dito, doon mataas, dito mababa,” Dizon said.
He said residents in the higher section reported suffering less damage because of the elevated flood wall.
Dizon said the DPWH has allocated P100 million from its Quick Response Fund for flood-control works in the area this year.
“Itong first ano natin hanggang sa bridge, tapos na tayo, no? Tsaka meron tayong mga tinapos pa doon. Pero siguro ‘yung buong… kasi nag-allocate tayo ng 100 million pesos dito for from the Quick Response Fund, ‘yung buong 100 million na ‘yun, ‘yung na hanggang doon, eh siguro matatapos before the end of the year,” he said.
He added that the most vulnerable community near the inspection site has already been addressed.
The planned raising of the bridge has no definite timeline yet as the DPWH needs to coordinate with the Davao City Water District (DCWD) over a water pipeline located near the structure.
“Kinausap rin namin ‘yung Davao Water District. Kasi may nakikita niyo ‘yung blue? ‘Yung blue na pipe doon, kailangan… hindi naman namin pwedeng itaas tapos maiiwan, baka mawalan ng tubig, ‘di ba? So, kailangan din sabay kaming magtrabaho with the water district. I think sumulat na kami sa water district, so we’re just waiting for their response,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dizon said DPWH will also assess flood-control requirements along the Matina River.
“Yung Matina River, wala pa silang report sa akin, so papasimulan na rin natin,” he said.
He said the agency will first conduct a survey and validation before determining the necessary interventions.
“Mag-survey muna kami at validation,” Dizon said.
Dizon also ordered the area where he inspected the Talomo River to be paved as an access route for nearby communities.
“By the way, itong area na tinatayuan natin ngayon, since magiging access na ‘to sa mga communities natin, pinapa-asfalto ko na ‘to, no? Para naman pagdating ng ulan, hindi naman putik. Gagawin na din,” he said.
The latest works follow the DPWH’s response to the July 24 flooding, including emergency dredging and the installation of gabions to reinforce flood-control structures along the Talomo River.
