DPWH Clarifies Damage to Protection Dike Along Dulangan River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recently clarified the damage to a protection dike along the Dulangan River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, after social media posts sparked concerns about its integrity.

The flood-mitigation project in Naujan, touted as one of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ key initiatives in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), came under scrutiny after a radio host exposed its subpar construction.

King Marasigan, a radio host, broke the story on his Facebook post and discussed it further on his show “Hagupit ng Dos por Dos” with co-host Ire Joe Laurente.

Marasigan’s exposé sparked outrage among Naujan residents, who are calling for an investigation into the billion-peso project and demanding accountability from those responsible.

The project, which was supposed to provide protection dikes for the town, has been criticized for its shoddy workmanship.

Photos taken after a recent storm showed that parts of the structure had collapsed, raising concerns about its ability to withstand future floods.

In a privilege speech during a session of the Sangguniang Bayan, Naujan Councilor Reuel P. Laygo expressed concerns about the dike’s condition, citing social media posts that showed a damaged section.

Laygo requested the DPWH to explain the incident and provide details on the repairs.

DPWH Regional Office IV-B sent representatives to the SB session last week, including Engr. Felisardo Casuno, DPWH Project Engineer, to address the concerns.

Casuno explained that the damaged section was being repaired and that the damage was caused by tree debris carried by floodwaters, not by the floodwaters themselves.

Casuno showed images of the damaged section before and after repairs, and explained that the damage was minimal, accounting for only 0.1% of the total completed projects.

He also revealed that 15 kilometers of the protection dike had been completed, with 26 more kilometers still under construction.

Casuno told the council the DPWH has prioritized the repair of the damaged section and is working to complete the remaining projects.

Meanwhile, critics are urging the national government to investigate the project and hold those responsible accountable.

The local government of Naujan has also been called upon to take action and ensure that the project is completed properly.

Marasigan’s radio show, “Hagupit ng Dos por Dos,” will continue to provide updates on the issue on Saturdays from 8-9 am on Kalahi Mo 101.7 FM.