A flood control structure worth more than ₱87 million in Surigao del Norte collapsed just three years after its completion, raising serious questions about construction quality, oversight, and public spending on flood mitigation projects.
The structure, located in Barangay Mabuhay, Sison, Surigao del Norte’s second district, collapsed on Nov. 26, 2025. Residents said the failure occurred despite the absence of heavy rains, strong water currents, or active flooding at the time.
“This was supposed to protect us,” resident Reynaldo Corvera said in the local language.
“Now, what happened? Even if there was no flood, no heavy rains, it still fell apart.”
Other residents said visible signs of structural distress appeared weeks before the collapse. They reported cracks and deterioration but said no preventive repairs were undertaken before the structure failed.
Residents have since appealed for immediate government intervention, warning that continued deterioration in other sections could expose nearby farms and residential areas to flooding once the rainy season intensifies.
Project records show the flood control structure was listed at ₱87,079,738.88. It was implemented by CV Construction and Development under the Regular Infrastructure component of the General Appropriations Act 2021 and completed in May 2022.
The collapse comes amid an ongoing investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, following complaints filed by residents of Surigao del Norte’s second district alleging the existence of substandard, unfinished, and potentially ghost infrastructure projects in the area.
The Department of Public Works and Highways has been asked to comment but has yet to issue a response as of writing.
