Rep. Duterte welcomes DPWH commitment for Davao City flood masterplan

Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte welcomed the commitment of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon to include the Davao City Flood Masterplan in the proposed 2027 national budget.

In a statement released on Thursday, July 30, 2026, Duterte thanked Dizon for his commitment, saying the implementation of the flood masterplan would benefit not only current Dabawenyos but also future generations who continue to face flooding during heavy rains.

“Thank you, Sec. Vince. We welcome your commitment, and we sincerely hope this becomes one of those rare occasions when a promise from Manila actually reaches Davao,” Duterte said.

“Kung matuman ni, maayo kaayo. Dili lang para sa Dabawenyo, kundi para sa umaabot nga mga henerasyon nga dili na kinahanglan manglangoy kada kusog ang ulan,” he added.

(If it comes true, that's great. Not just for Dabawenyo, but for the coming generations who don't have to swim every time it rains.)

However, the lawmaker also urged the national government to ensure that the commitment would translate into actual projects and not remain merely an announcement.

Duterte claimed that Davao City residents have become cautious about promises from the national government due to previous projects that were announced but have yet to be completed.

He added that the public would continue monitoring the progress of the flood mitigation efforts, including Dizon’s commitment to raise the Talomo River dike by two meters.

“So gikan karon, every hour among tan-awon kung asa na ang dike. Basin gani adunay mag-post ug "Talomo Dike Hourly Update" nga mas daghan pa ug viewers kaysa ubang vloggers. Ayaw kabalaka. Dili ni pressure. Public accountability lang ni,” Duterte said.

(So from now on, every hour we look to see where the dike is. Maybe someone will post a "Talomo Dike Hourly Update" that has more viewers than other vloggers. Don't worry. It's not pressure. It's just public accountability.)

“Kay ang gusto ra man sa mga Dabawenyo simple ra kaayo. Dili mi nangayo ug impossible. Dili mi nangayo ug magic. Ang among gipangayo mao ang inyong gisaad. Kung naa nay budget, ipagawas. Kung naa nay plano, sugdi. Kung naa nay commitment, tumanon,” he added.

(Because what the Dabawenyos like is very simple. We did not ask for the impossible. We didn't ask for magic. What we ask is what you stated. If there is a budget, release it. If you have a plan, start it. If there is a commitment, implement it.)

Meanwhile, Dizon said accountability for those involved in the Davao City’s flooding problem will also be addressed.

“Papunta na rin tayo doon (We are on our way there),” Dizon said in response Duterte’s call to hold accountable those responsible for the city’s flooding issues.

However, the DPWH’s top official emphasized that the immediate priority is to resolve the flooding situation and provide relief to affected residents.

“Pero ang priority namin ngayon, i-address ‘yung flooding sa mga kababayan natin doon, kasi grabe ‘yung dinaanan nilang hirap doon and they deserve better than that,” Dizon said.

(But our priority now is to address the flooding of our countrymen there, because the hardship they have gone through there is severe and they deserve better than that.) — GMA Regional TV