The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 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, Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday.
Dizon made the announcement during his inspection of ongoing flood-control improvements along the river, including plans to raise a bridge in the area, more than two months after a flash flood struck nearby communities on July 24, 2026.
The flooding damaged homes and displaced families living along the river, prompting the DPWH to assess and reinforce flood-mitigation structures in the area.
Dizon said his inspection days after the incident revealed significant gaps in the existing flood-control system, particularly differences in the height of flood-control structures protecting nearby communities.
“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 reporters.
He noted 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,” he said.
According to Dizon, residents living near the elevated section reported less damage during the flooding, highlighting the need to address gaps in the height of flood-control structures.
The DPWH has allocated P100 million from its Quick Response Fund for flood-control works in the area this year.
Dizon said portions of the project, including the section leading to the bridge, have already been completed, while the remaining works are expected to be finished before year-end.
“…’Yung buong P100 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 area has already been addressed through the ongoing improvements.
Meanwhile, the planned raising of the bridge remains without a definite timeline as the DPWH must first coordinate with the Davao City Water District (DCWD) over a water pipeline running 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,” Dizon said.
He said the DPWH has already written to the water district and is awaiting its response before proceeding with the bridge works.
Dizon also directed the DPWH to begin assessing flood-control requirements along the Matina River, where the agency has yet to receive a report on needed interventions.
“Yung Matina River, wala pa silang report sa akin, so papasimulan na rin natin,” he said.
He said the agency will conduct a survey and validation of the area first before determining the appropriate flood-control measures.
Dizon also ordered the area where he conducted the inspection to be paved to provide a more accessible route for nearby communities, particularly during rainy weather.
“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 improvements build on the DPWH’s response to the July 24 flooding, which included emergency dredging and the installation of gabions to reinforce flood-control structures along the Talomo River.
