The city government’s decision to push ahead with the fabrication of box culverts in the San Pedro area as part of its flood control project, described in a press release as a “temporary measure,” begs an explanation. Why temporary? Is this because the right-of-way problem that has stalled the project for years, the need for permission from private property owners to allow the drainage canal within their property, has yet to be fully addressed?
As of Palawan News’ latest reporting in February 2025, the right-of-way issue hindering the city’s flood control projects remains only partially resolved. Unless this has already been superseded by the final acquiescence of property owners, the project’s execution raises serious concerns.
Under Philippine government contracting regulations, no infrastructure project should proceed without an approved final engineering design. This requirement exists to ensure that public funds and resources are used efficiently and effectively. The Commission on Audit, in its annual review of the city’s transactions, has repeatedly called out the city government’s tendency to bypass this requirement, which has led to failures in infrastructure projects, whether implemented “by administration” or awarded to private contractors.
With right-of-way disputes still unresolved, the San Pedro flood control project risks wasting more government resources, as it has done in the past. The absence of a fully vetted engineering plan can hamper the project’s full execution. A poorly designed flood control system, implemented in a haphazard manner and framed as “temporary,” could even worsen flooding instead of mitigating it.
The optics suggest that City Hall is being proactive as we enter the rainy season, with residents growing anxious about another flooding episode. But the focus on visible progress over substantive planning should be called out. Flood control is not a photo opportunity—it is a matter of public safety and fiscal responsibility.
