The 2nd District Engineering Office (2nd DEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Palawan clarified that the construction of a river control structure along Pulot River in Sofronio Española is not a “ghost project” but an ongoing work delayed by permit requirements.
Engineer Ronald Supanga of the 2nd DEO said the project started in April but had to be stopped while waiting for the completion of necessary permits, including a tree-cutting clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Mahaba-haba yong naging suspension niya dahil nagka problema kami sa pag-apply ng tree cutting permit. Madali lang naman sana mag-apply basta ma-provide ang necessary documents,” he explained, noting that the process took longer because the barangay with jurisdiction over the area also took its time to issue the endorsement.
“Sana maging favorable na yong weather, kasi isa rin yan sa nagiging cause ng suspension… yong mga nangyayaring kalamidad,” he added.
Another cause of suspension was the “road right of way” because of a house that only started relocating recently and a hog pen.
He said work was allowed to continue only on August 18, after they have obtained the permit to cut trees from the local environment department.
Based on project information posted at the site, the ₱34,077,049.76 project was awarded on March 26 by DPWH to Ivy Michelle Construction and Trading Incorporated as a “regular flood control project” that is not tied to any congressional office.
The project officially started on April 11 and its original completion date was set for September 11, 2025, with a contract duration of 154 calendar days.
The updated project signage now reflects a revised completion date of December 10, 2025, with the contract duration extended from 154 to 244 days because of the suspension caused by pending permits.
Supanga confirmed that this was only posted in the project site yesterday, September 13, which may explain why residents saw earlier signage that did not yet include the updated schedule.
Funding for the project comes from the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and is being implemented by the DPWH Palawan 2nd DEO based in Narra.
A separate tarp issued by the DENR-CENRO Brooke’s Point (Permit No. 2025-056) also shows that a tree cutting permit was granted for the project site. It listed species such as kapok, kalios, mango, mahogany, antipolo, and bogo, with a total volume of 7.078 cubic meters authorized for removal.
Supanga said construction has since undertaken clearing operations, slope preparation, and sheet piling.
He added that concrete slope protection with reinforcement steel is also part of the design.
“Sheet piling ito, binabaon sa ilalim ng pundasyon ng structure para tumibay at maprevent ang scouring at suction kung malakas ang tubig,” he said.
“Pag slope protection, kasi automatic may bakal talaga yan,” Supanga said.
Supanga asserted that the project is ongoing and that progress reports will be provided to show that it is not an “abandoned or ghost project.”
Resident’s observation
The issue was first raised by Lovimen Gallego, a resident of Barangay Pulot Center, who shared photos of the project site on Facebook and questioned why the river control structure along Pulot River remained unfinished.
In his post, Gallego said the construction appeared far from completion even after the September 11 deadline had passed.
She estimated that the accomplishment was “wala pa sa 20%” and described the structure as incomplete.
Gallego also sent photos she took on September 9 to Palawan News showing the state of the riverbank where the project is being built, further fueling public concern that the construction was not progressing as scheduled.
“Merong update doon sa tarp, kaya lang marker lang at baka nabura,” Supanga defended, adding that his district engineering office understands all flood control projects are being questioned because of ongoing investigations in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“Hindi ito ghost project. Nagkaroon lang talaga ng delay,” he reiterated. (with a report from Ruil Alabi)
