Davao de Oro lawmaker seeks flood control budget boost

Davao de Oro 1st District Rep. Maria Carmen “Maricar” Zamora appealed to the national government for additional flood control funding after projects in her district helped mitigate flooding during recent heavy rains triggered by a shear line that drenched large parts of Mindanao.

Zamora said, “We’re proud to say na ‘yung ating mga flood control projects dito sa ating distrito ay nakatulong to control the flood."

In the past, Zamora noted, just one to two days of rain would submerge the area around Kalaw Bridge along the Agusan River in the Municipality of Monkayo.

But during the recent heavy rains, the river did not overflow at the bridge.

“We can say na kahit paano nagkaroon ng improvement,” she said.

Zamora explained that Monkayo serves as a basin where runoff from upland areas converges, making flooding expected during heavy rains.

She warned, however, that some flood control projects remain unfinished.

“So ang kinatatakutan namin is ‘pag sobrang lakas ng ulan at may hindi natapos baka bibigay din. Kasi syempre may portion na dun dadaan ‘yung tubig kasi may spaces pa na bakante,” she said.

Zamora acknowledged that some projects may have been affected by broader national controversies surrounding flood control spending but urged policymakers to distinguish between problematic works elsewhere and functioning infrastructure in her district.

“I hope makita nila yung situation namin dito na nakatulong talaga ‘yung flood control project namin dito sa part ng ating region,” Zamora said, appealing for objective assessment and additional support in the next budget cycle.

She added that many areas in the province remain flood-prone and assured that future proposals would be based on proper studies.

Her assessment was echoed in a report by Davao City-based media outlet Mindanao Lens titled “If Flood Control Isn’t a Ghost.”

The report cited flood mitigation structures in Zamora’s district as examples of infrastructure that is properly built and delivering results.

Flood control projects nationwide have recently faced scrutiny amid allegations of anomalies, unfinished works and substandard construction.

Against that backdrop, Mindanao Lens highlighted Davao de Oro’s 1st District as proof that well-structured and responsibly funded projects can withstand extreme weather.

Residents said the difference during the recent downpours was immediate.

“Grabe jud ka helpful ang flood control. Nakapanghipos pa mi og tarong, nakahinlo pa gani. Hinay ra kaayo nisaka ang tubig, dili pareha sauna nga kalit ra mi maapsan. Dako jud kaayo ni og tabang,” said resident Jazel Neri Sarte.

(“The flood control was really a huge help. We were able to organize our things and even clean up. The water rose slowly, unlike before when it would suddenly surge and catch us off guard. It really helped a lot.”)

In Barangay Tupas in Maragusan town, the local government unit said the flood control project prevented water from entering residential areas despite sustained rainfall.

“Tungod niini, mas luwas ang atong komunidad bisan pa sa kusog nga ulan. Daghang salamat sa inyong padayon nga suporta ug pag-atiman sa among barangay,” the LGU said.

(“Because of this, our community is safer even during heavy rains. Thank you for your continued support and attention to our barangay.”)

Davao de Oro, a province vulnerable to intense rainfall due to its terrain and river systems, has historically experienced destructive flooding and landslides.

The recent shear line served as a real-world test of mitigation measures and, according to Mindanao Lens, residents in Zamora’s district reported reduced impact compared with previous severe weather events.

The report underscored that when flood control projects are properly designed, completed and funded, they provide tangible protection rather than exist only on paper.