Albay urges action on idle P2.5 B flood project

By Manny T. Ugalde

LEGAZPI CITY — Amid worsening floods and public frustration, Albay residents are calling for immediate action from government leaders over the long-idle ₱2.5 billion flood control project in Legazpi City, as political figures continue to trade blame for the unresolved issue.

The flood mitigation project — which includes three pumping stations meant to drain floodwaters from Legazpi’s low-lying areas — was reportedly completed and inaugurated in 2012, yet remains non-operational more than a decade later.

While residents vent on social media and community forums demanding solutions, officials from Ako Bicol Partylist, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Albay Governor Noel Rosal are locked in a public dispute over accountability for the failed project.

Background of the Project

The pumping stations were part of a larger Urban Drainage Program initiated under the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III, with funding secured in 2011 through then-Albay Governor Joey Salceda. The infrastructure was designed to address Legazpi’s persistent flooding, earning it the local moniker “Legazpi SEAty” due to its below-sea-level elevation.

The project was implemented by the DPWH Regional Office and awarded to Sunwest Construction and Development Corp. and Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp., both construction firms linked to former Ako Bicol representatives. During its inauguration in 2012, then-President Aquino and DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson were present — a gesture some argue validated the project’s completion and functionality at the time.

Dispute Over Turnover and Maintenance

Governor Noel Rosal, who served as Legazpi City mayor during the project’s implementation, maintains that the city government never formally received the pumping stations, citing mechanical issues and their failure to effectively drain floodwaters. He has insisted that contractors should reconstruct or rehabilitate the units before any official acceptance.

In a radio interview, Rosal emphasized that no official transfer occurred and claimed that his stance led to political backlash, including the filing of cases that resulted in the temporary suspension of both him and his wife, former Legazpi Mayor Geraldine Rosal, following the 2022 elections. Despite this, Rosal was re-elected as governor.

However, Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin challenged Rosal’s statements in a press conference last week, presenting three acknowledgment receipts reportedly signed by Rosal in 2012. The documents, co-signed by DPWH engineers Igan Nuñez and Godofredo Beltran, indicate that the pumping stations were “satisfactorily completed” and that the city assumed responsibility for their operation and maintenance.

Garbin also noted that after the turnover, the city government allegedly failed to designate personnel to oversee the facilities, which contributed to their deterioration over time. He questioned why national officials would attend the inauguration if the project was not in operational condition.

In previous years, two former DPWH regional directors, Melvin Navarro (2017) and Danilo Versola (2018), attempted to regain control of the pumping stations to ensure their maintenance, but were reportedly rebuffed. DPWH officials said their intent was to salvage the facilities from further decay.

Recently, the current DPWH leadership signaled interest in retaking control of the pumping stations for operation and maintenance, acknowledging that lack of upkeep has left the facilities in a state of disrepair.

Amid the technical and political disputes, Albayanos — especially Legazpi residents — have taken to social media to express disappointment. Many are less interested in assigning blame and more focused on seeking concrete, immediate action to address flooding, which continues to disrupt classes, businesses, and transportation during heavy rains.

Local advocacy groups and residents are now urging all involved parties — the DPWH, city and provincial governments, and national legislators — to set aside political differences and prioritize rehabilitation or replacement of the pumping stations.

As the rainy season intensifies, so do calls for accountability and resolution, with many Albayanos warning that prolonged inaction will only deepen public dissatisfaction and environmental risk.