TOBOSO, Negros Occidental — Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco has publicly called on Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon to personally visit his town and inspect a flood control project that collapsed following heavy rains on January 31, 2026.
In a Facebook post that quickly gained attention, Jaojoco directly appealed to the DPWH chief, writing, “DPWH Sec. Vince baka pwede ma bisita?” The mayor said the damage caused by the recent downpour exposed serious concerns about the quality of government-funded infrastructure in the municipality.
According to Jaojoco, flooding last night revealed alarming evidence of substandard construction, particularly in a newly concreted road connected to the flood control system. Upon inspection, local officials reportedly discovered bags of sand being used as base material beneath the concrete—an apparent violation of proper engineering standards.
The collapsed flood control project has intensified public outrage, especially as many parts of the country continue to experience severe flooding due to persistent rains. Flood control projects are supposed to mitigate disasters, but in Toboso’s case, the infrastructure failed at the moment it was needed most.
The issue comes amid growing national controversy involving alleged corruption within the DPWH. Discussions about “bilyon-bilyon” pesos allegedly siphoned off by certain officials and large-scale contractors have dominated public discourse, fueling anger among citizens who see poor-quality projects despite massive government spending.
Residents in Toboso echoed the mayor’s concerns, saying they fear similar defects may exist in other infrastructure projects in their area. Some villagers reported that floodwaters rose rapidly during the rain, worsening damage to homes and farmlands after the flood control structure gave way.
Mayor Jaojoco is now demanding an immediate and transparent investigation by the DPWH, including a technical audit of the collapsed project and accountability for those involved in its construction. He emphasized that identifying those responsible is crucial to restoring public trust.
As of this writing, the DPWH has yet to issue an official response to Jaojoco’s call. However, pressure continues to mount for the agency to address not only the Toboso incident but also broader concerns over infrastructure quality and alleged corruption nationwide.