More than a year after a portion of the Matina Gravahan flood control dike was destroyed by raging waters, no repair has been undertaken as funding remains pending and a dispute between the contractor and a landowner has yet to be settled.
The dike, completed in February 2023, was initially welcomed by residents who for decades had grown accustomed to flooding whenever heavy rains or typhoons hit. For the first time, they experienced relief as the dike shielded their homes from overflowing waters.
But in February 2024, just a year after completion, a large troso (log) carried by floodwaters slammed into the structure, breaching a portion of its concrete wall. Since then, parts of the barangay have once again been exposed to flooding, with residents saying the destruction of even a small section has rendered the protective barrier ineffective.
“Nadombol diha nga parte mao nangaliki. Last year sunod-sunod baha, dagko kaayo troso diri paingon nga part mao wala nakaya, nibigay,” said Roberto Pandi, a long-time resident.
Another resident, Paolo Bilocura, recalled how the collapse came so soon after the project was completed. “Paghuman ani nga project kumpleto na, pila ka bulan naabtan baha mao naguba.”
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Davao City District Office promptly submitted a request for emergency funds to repair the damaged portion. However, as of September 2025, the request remains unapproved, sparking criticism over bureaucratic inaction in the face of a clear safety risk.
Complicating matters further, a nearby property owner is demanding more than ₱3 million from the contractor that built the dike, claiming their land was used during construction but has never been paid for. The landowner has since filed a case before the Ombudsman against the DPWH, citing negligence in addressing both the unpaid obligation and the failure to initiate repairs.
A caretaker of the property, who declined to be named, criticized the contractor’s unfulfilled promises. “Walay klaro tong contractor. Kasabot ana sila bayaran daw mga nadamage nga property tungod sa ilang pag-construct pero wala namalik. Mao to nasuko si mam, wala na sila paagia diri kay i-repair unta.”
DPWH 11 spokesperson Dean Ortiz acknowledged the conflict and said the regional office would step in. “We will intervene and negotiate with both the landowner and the contractor on how to expedite the repair of the damaged dike,” Ortiz assured, noting that resolving the issue is crucial to moving forward.
Residents, however, remain dismayed that what was once hailed as a long-awaited solution to decades of flooding has already failed them. “For a year, wala na mi gi-baha. Pero karon balik napud mi sa kahadlok sa una,” one community member said.
Observers are now pressing DPWH not only to facilitate a settlement but also to hold the contractor accountable, as the structure sustained major damage barely a year after completion. Local officials are likewise urged to lobby for the immediate release of emergency funds before the next typhoon season worsens the situation.
For thousands living in Matina Gravahan, the dike was supposed to be their shield against floods. Today, that shield remains broken—its promise of safety washed away not only by a storm, but also by the disputes and delays that followed. PR
