Jonas, under the guise of reconstruction, allegedly corrupts the construction of flood walls
In the heart of Mandaue City, the collapse of a flood-control structure in Barangay Paknaan has caused quite a stir. The 15-meter section of the structure came crumbling down on August 26, 2025, due to structural instability brought about by strong winds.
The flood-control project, conceived, funded, and awarded in 2019, was the brainchild of Congressman Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. However, the project was under the responsibility of the previous administration, and it was the former congressman who oversaw its initiation and completion.
Interestingly, no payments or progress bills were approved for the project while the former congressman, whose identity remains undisclosed, was still in office. This information was shared by Jamaal James Calipayan, chief of staff of Jonas Cortes, who later became the city mayor in 2024.
However, Calipayan-Dizon stated that all actual work and payments related to the flood-control project were handled by Congresswoman Emmarie Ouano-Dizon during Cortes' term as congressman. This contradiction has led to a political debate, with Ouano-Dizon placing responsibility on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the incident, while Cortes has not been directly implicated.
The DPWH 6th District Engineering Office reported the collapse of the structure, and Ouano-Dizon made her statement in a press conference on Friday, August 29, 2025. Amidst the finger-pointing and political rhetoric, Jamaal James Calipayan urged the public to focus on finding solutions rather than pointing fingers at individuals.
It is essential to note that the current city mayor, Jonas Cortes, did not initiate the collapsed flood-control structure. The project was completed during the term of the former congressman, whose identity remains undisclosed.
As the investigation into the collapse continues, the citizens of Mandaue City await answers and a resolution to ensure the safety and security of their community.
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