Team DailyPedia
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has confirmed that reclamation and backfilling activities associated with the Access Road Section 1 (Bike Lane) Project in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro significantly contributed to the severe flooding that hit several areas of Iloilo City in July.
The confirmation was detailed in a formal letter issued by Officer-in-Charge Regional Executive Director Raul Lorilla following a site validation and investigation conducted by the DENR–Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 6.
The investigation was initiated after the Iloilo City Government requested clarification on the project’s compliance, funding sources, and documentation in the aftermath of widespread flooding in Barangays Camalig, Lanit, Balantang, Tagbak, and Buntatala. These barangays are located along Buntatala Creek, which overflowed during the heavy rains.
According to the EMB-6 Investigating Team, large portions of the construction area in Barangay Tagbak had been reclaimed and backfilled, causing a narrowing of the natural alignment of Buntatala Creek. This constriction disrupted the creek’s natural water flow and directly contributed to the flooding of nearby communities.
The DENR report stated that the backfilling and earth-filling activities obstructed the natural water flow, leading to overflow onto access roads and surrounding areas.
The bike lane project was facilitated through funding endorsed by Iloilo City Lone District Representative Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda and was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways–Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO). The same office handled the related flood mitigation structures along the creek.
Based on findings from the Iloilo City Legal Office, the projects did not undergo mandatory procedures under Philippine Reclamation Authority Administrative Order No. 2019-4. These include feasibility studies, hydrodynamic modeling, and the submission of a Final Environmental Impact Statement or its equivalent.
The construction site also became the scene of a tragedy during the July flooding, when a 13-year-old boy from Zone 3 of Barangay Tagbak drowned.
Data from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) show that Baronda received over ₱5 billion in allocables and non-allocables over the past three years. Reports indicate that she received ₱1.75 billion worth of flood control projects during the tenure of Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez as House Speaker.
In 2025 alone, Baronda reportedly received ₱945,985,191.41 in flood control allocations, a significant increase compared to ₱737.3 million in 2024 and ₱71.1 million in 2023.
Records also indicate that three projects worth a combined ₱425 million were awarded to St. Timothy Construction Corp., while a separate ₱150-million project went to Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corp.
Additionally, an unfinished 600-meter flood mitigation structure worth ₱400 million was recently discovered in Barangay Obrero, Lapuz. The project was funded through the congressional district office and implemented by DPWH-ICDEO.
During a recent visit to Iloilo City, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. criticized the delays and poor implementation of flood control projects after inspecting two flood mitigation structures in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro district.
“Sa aking pagbisita sa Iloilo, nakita natin ang mga delayed at palpak na flood control projects na lalo pang nagpapalala ng pagbaha,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.
