Nov 30 Truth Commission

THE MISSING LINK: FLOOD CONTROL AND THE DISTRICT RIVER SYSTEM

Over the past several days, we mapped flood control projects across the rivers of the 4th District — from Palompon, Kananga, Merida, and Isabel, including Ormoc and Albuera.

The data shows dozens of completed structures: flood control walls, mitigation structures, spillways, and box culverts along different rivers and waterways.

Seen individually, these projects appear as separate infrastructure efforts built across different years and locations.
But when the projects are placed together on a single district map, an important question emerges.

Many of the structures appear as isolated segments along the same river systems, constructed at different points and at different times.

This leads to a simple public question.
What is the overall flood control plan that connects these projects?

Flood management normally follows a river system approach — where upstream, midstream, and downstream interventions are designed as part of one coordinated plan.
Which raises several questions that citizens may reasonably ask:

• Is there a district-wide flood control master plan for these river systems?
• How are upstream and downstream structures coordinated?
• Are these projects part of a long-term river management strategy?
• Where can the public access the full plan for the district’s flood mitigation program?

Flood control works best when projects are not isolated, but integrated within a broader river management framework.

Understanding that larger framework would help communities see how each structure contributes to protecting lives, farms, roads, and towns from flooding.

For now, the maps raise a simple and constructive question:

What is the full plan behind the district’s flood control system?
Transparency helps everyone understand how these important public works are meant to function together.

NOV 30 TRUTH COMMISSION

River System Mapping – Flood Control Projects (4th District)

Following earlier observations on project totals and contractor frequency, the Nov 30 Truth Commission reviewed publicly listed flood control projects by river system and location across the 4th District.

This mapping is not an allegation.
It is an attempt to understand how projects are distributed across rivers that repeatedly experience erosion or flooding.

Observed River Systems with Multiple Flood Control Projects
Kananga Area
Bao River
Bangon River
Lanawan River
Multiple flood control structures have been reported along these river systems across different project listings.

Merida Area
Malbasag River
Poblacion River system
Several projects are listed along sections of these waterways.

Palompon Area
Tabunok River
Local coastal river channels
Flood control and drainage structures appear across several segments.

Isabel Area
Local river and drainage channels connected to coastal waterways.

Why River Mapping Matters
Flood control projects are normally designed per river system, not as isolated structures.
When multiple projects appear across the same rivers over time, the public may reasonably ask:
• Are these structures part of a long-term river management plan?
• How are different project segments connected?
• Were upstream and downstream impacts evaluated?
• Were post-completion inspections conducted after major rains?
These are technical questions that help determine whether flood control systems are functioning as intended.

For Public Record
The Nov 30 Truth Commission continues to document publicly available information on flood control spending across the district.
Our goal remains simple:
Transparency.
Documentation.
Public awareness.

Further observations will be shared as additional records are reviewed.
Billions have been allocated across multiple rivers in the district.
Understanding how these projects interact with the rivers themselves is essential

CONTRACTOR FREQUENCY OBSERVATION
Flood Control Projects – 4th District
(Palompon, Kananga, Merida, Isabel, Matag-ob)
Source: DPWH Transparency Portal (Flood Control & Drainage – Leyte)

After reviewing publicly posted records, the following contractor patterns appear in multiple 4th District municipalities:

RJIR ENTERPRISES CORPORATION
Appears repeatedly across Kananga and Merida:
Kananga: • ₱39,575,532.92
• ₱5,821,197.36
• ₱46,549,781.20
• ₱36,320,712.80
• ₱96,492,385.00
• ₱27,782,824.64
• ₱27,782,405.18
(7 projects listed)
Merida: • ₱29,698,999.03
• ₱9,799,999.06
(2 projects listed)
Total visible from pasted data alone:
At least ₱319+ Million across 9 projects
(Excluding other towns not fully pasted)

LEDA CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
Appears multiple times in Kananga:
• ₱144,749,999.97
• ₱48,999,997.17
• ₱96,499,999.89
• (1 additional Kananga project listed without amount in pasted data)
Total visible:
At least ₱290+ Million across 3–4 projects

A.C. RIVERO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Appears multiple times in Palompon / Isabel area:
• ₱18,619,000.00
• ₱14,162,168.47
• ₱19,549,600.81
• ₱29,399,997.45
• ₱18,619,854.27
Total visible:
₱100+ Million across at least 5 projects

CIRCLE Z VENTURES & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Appears in Palompon, Kananga, and Merida:
• ₱4,875,499.34
• ₱4,850,996.77
• ₱4,875,499.34
• ₱19,599,998.10
Total visible:
₱34+ Million across 4 projects
Observations

These figures are based solely on publicly listed projects from the DPWH Transparency Portal entries pasted above.

This post makes no accusation.

However, frequency across municipalities and repeated awards within the same category (Flood Control and Drainage) naturally raise procurement and performance questions.

When the same contractors repeatedly handle river systems in the same district, the public may reasonably ask:
• How many bidders participated in each project?
• Were these contracts competitively awarded?
• Were performance evaluations conducted before subsequent awards?
• Are post-completion inspections publicly available?

Patterns are not allegations.
But patterns deserve transparency.

We again call for full disclosure of:
• Bid abstracts
• Notice of Awards
• Contracts
• Completion certifications
• Post-completion inspection reports

The public deserves clarity.

PRESS STATEMENT

On Flood Control Projects in the 4th District

Daghang salamat sa 33,000 views.
The scale of public engagement shows that this issue goes beyond politics. This concerns public funds amounting to billions of pesos allocated for flood control projects across Ormoc and Albuera, both within the 4th District.
Since district-wide ni, let us now move from numbers to clarity.

We respectfully but firmly call for full disclosure, transparency, and a comprehensive audit of these projects.
The public deserves clear and documented answers to the following:

For flood control projects in Ormoc and Albuera:
• Are there official Certificates of Completion?
• Are there turnover documents to the respective LGUs?
• Were these projects inspected after heavy rains?
• Are there post-completion evaluation reports?
• Who certified their structural integrity?
• Were these projects audited by the Commission on Audit?
• Where can the public access detailed accomplishment and disbursement reports?
• Which contractors handled multiple projects within the same river systems?
• Are there maintenance allocations after completion?
• If declared completed, why do some areas continue to show erosion and flooding?

These are not accusations.
They are legitimate public interest questions.
When billions of pesos are involved, transparency is not discretionary — it is an obligation.

We urge the proper authorities and implementing offices to release all relevant documents and make them accessible to the public.

Silence does not build trust.
Transparency does.

The public is watching.

Daghang salamat sa 33 k views.
Since district-wide ni, let’s move from numbers to clarity.
Simple questions lang ni — para sa transparency.

For projects in Ormoc and Albuera:
Are there official Certificates of Completion?
Are there turnover documents to LGUs?
Were projects inspected after heavy rains?
Are there post-completion evaluation reports?
Who certified the structural integrity?
Were these projects audited by COA?
Where can the public access the detailed accomplishment reports?
Which contractors handled multiple projects in the same river systems?
Are there maintenance allocations after completion?
If completed, why do some areas still show active erosion or flooding?

Questions begging answers.

PRESS STATEMENT
November 30 Truth Commission

Re: Claim of “No Ghost Projects” by DPWH Regional Director and BPWH Engineer Edgar Tabacon

The November 30 Truth Commission categorically rejects the sweeping claim that there are “no ghost projects” in the region.
We do not deal in rumors. We deal in site inspections, photographs, funding records, and testimonies from residents.
Let us be specific.
1. The San Antonio Project – ₱48.84 Million
On paper: Completed, October 2023.
On the ground: A narrow, shallow creek overtaken by grass and shrubs.

There are:
No excavation traces.
No concrete flood control structures.
No signs of heavy equipment activity.
No visible rehabilitation of the old box culvert downstream.
Residents confirm: No construction activity was ever reported. No workers. No materials. No posted timeline.
If this is not a ghost project, then the public deserves to see the physical structure corresponding to ₱48.84 million.

We invite DPWH officials to conduct a joint public site inspection with us.
Bring the plans.
Bring the as-built drawings.
Bring the accomplishment reports.
Let the public see.

2. The Baybay Flood Control Project – ₱178 Million
Funded five times between 2017 and 2024.
Three contractors:
Rex Morales
RJIR Enterprises
CNE Construction
Total released: ₱178 million.

What exists on site? Approximately 50 meters of disconnected structure cutting through mangroves—then nothing.
Yet documents declare completion.
Certifications were issued.
Payments were released.
If this is not a ghost, then explain the gap between the paper and the land.

Flood control that does not control floods. Completion certificates for structures that do not exist in full. Mangroves destroyed for a project that stopped mid-body.

These are not political statements.
These are observable realities.

We Challenge the Denial
When officials say “there are no ghost projects,” they are making a verifiable claim.
We welcome verification.

Let there be:
A public technical audit
Release of as-built plans
Disclosure of inspection reports
Identification of certifying officers

If everything is legitimate, transparency will only strengthen public trust.
If not, the public has the right to know.
₱48.84 million.
₱178 million.
These are not abstract numbers. These are public funds.

The burden of proof does not lie with citizens who are pointing to empty sites.
It lies with those who certified them complete.
Until documentary proof and physical evidence align, the denial of ghost projects is not reassuring—it is alarming.

We remain open to dialogue.
We remain firm in scrutiny.

And we will continue to follow the paper trail.

November 30 Truth Commission
For transparency. For accountability. For the public record.

DISTRICT FLOOD CONTROL: ₱4.9 BILLION

From 2016–2025, flood mitigation projects across the 4th District total approximately:
₱4.923 BILLION

Municipal breakdown:
• Ormoc – ₱1.74 Billion
• Albuera – ₱1.57 Billion
• Kananga – ₱844.47 Million
• Merida – ₱369.92 Million
• Isabel – ₱272.76 Million
• Palompon – ₱72.81 Million
• Matag-ob – ₱53.11 Million

Nearly ₱5 Billion allocated for flood control across the district.
Flood control is disaster mitigation infrastructure. It is meant to reduce risk, protect communities, and prevent recurring damage.

With this level of investment across multiple municipalities over nearly a decade, a reasonable public question is:
What consolidated district-wide performance assessment shows measurable reduction in flood risk?

Scale matters.
Transparency matters.
When billions are invested, outcomes should be visible and documented.

ORMOC FLOOD CONTROL: FOLLOW THE RIVER PATTERN

Earlier, we noted that flood control projects in Ormoc City from 2016–2025 totaled approximately:
₱1.21 Billion
under the Department of Public Works and Highways – Leyte 4th DEO.

But where did most of that funding go?

River Concentration
Nearly ₱557 Million — almost half of the total — was concentrated in the Pagsanga-an River system alone.
Across multiple years, listed projects included:
• River extensions
• Basin works
• Improvements
• Rehabilitation
• Separate construction packages

Other repeatedly funded river systems include:
• Panilahan – ~₱104M
• Matica-a – ~₱105M
• Anilao – ~₱41M
• Owak – ~₱48M

The pattern shows multi-phase funding across selected river systems over several budget cycles.

Contractor Frequency (Ormoc Entries)

Based on the dataset:
• RJIR Enterprises Corp – 9 projects
• Premium Megastructures Inc. – 4 projects
• Other firms – 1 to 2 projects each

This reflects recurring contractor participation in major river works.
Flood control is long-term mitigation infrastructure. It is designed not only to be completed, but to reduce measurable flood risk over time.

For projects completed across several years and phases, a reasonable public question is:
Is there a publicly available evaluation showing measurable flood-risk reduction from these investments?

With over ₱1.21 Billion allocated in Ormoc alone, transparency in post-construction performance reporting would help the public understand the long-term impact of these river projects.

VALENTINE’S PRIORITIES

Abi siguro sa uban, ang pinaka-importante sa Pebrero 14 kay sayaw, banda, ug kilig.

Pero sa City Hall, mas importante unta ang pirma sa payroll kaysa pirma sa autograph.
Kay ang job order worker dili man na “backup dancer.”

Trabahante na sila. Naay pamilya. Naay bayranan.

Ang Valentine’s Day usa ka adlaw ra.
Ang suweldo? Pang-bulan.

Kung naa man tay unahon, unta kana ang serbisyo — dili ang entablado.

Kilig later.
Payroll first.

ALBUERA: ₱1.63 BILLION IN FLOOD CONTROL

Records under the Department of Public Works and Highways – Leyte 4th DEO show that Albuera received:
35 flood control projects
₱1,636,503,528.80 total funding
(2016–2025)
That is over ₱1.63 Billion in one municipality over a ten-year period.

River Systems with Repeated Funding
Palanas – 5 projects – ₱144.31M
Sibugay – 4 projects – ₱221.42M
Mahayag – 3 projects – ₱201.82M
Tabgas Area – 4 entries – ₱150.03M
Boac – 3 projects – ₱77.75M
Salvacion – 2 projects – ₱131.30M
Talisayan – 2 projects – ₱74.60M

Several rivers were funded in multiple phases — upstream, downstream, rehabilitation, and structural upgrades — across 6 to 9 years.

Questions for Accountability
After ₱1.63 Billion in flood mitigation:
• Has flooding significantly decreased in these areas?
• Were earlier projects evaluated before new phases were funded?
• Are inspection and performance reports publicly accessible?
• How is effectiveness being measured?

Flood control funding is not symbolic.
It is meant to solve recurring problems.
When funding repeats along the same river systems, transparency and measurable results should follow.

MERIDA: ₱209.6 MILLION IN FLOOD CONTROL (2020–2024)

Municipality: Merida
Implementing Office: Leyte 4th District Engineering Office
Total Number of Projects:
7 Flood Control and Drainage Projects

Total Combined Allocation:
₱209,627,703.80
Implementation Period:
2020 – 2024

Breakdown of Major Projects
Lundag Flood Control – ₱96,348,951.67 (Completed Jan 20, 2024)
Calunangan Flood Control – ₱29,699,901.67 (Completed Aug 25, 2022)
Macatol Flood Control – ₱29,698,999.03 (Completed Nov 17, 2022)
Guinobatan Flood Control – ₱19,599,998.10 (Completed July 20, 2022)
Merida Flood Control – ₱18,619,854.27 (Completed Aug 31, 2020)
Merida Flood Control – ₱9,799,999.06 (Completed June 20, 2022)
Drainage, Brgy. Poblacion – ₱5,860,000.00 (Completed May 22, 2024)

Contractor Distribution
Projects were awarded to multiple contractors:
RJIR Enterprises Corporation – 3 projects
Circle Z Ventures & Development Corp. – 1 project
A.C. Rivero Development Corporation – 1 project
Aqualine Construction Corporation (JV with Everbuilt Construction) – 1 project
JSONS Builders – 1 project

Summary
Over a four-year period, more than ₱209 million in flood control and drainage infrastructure was implemented in one municipality.
This forms part of a broader series of similar projects across the district.

District-wide aggregation in progress.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TAMBIS SPILLWAY?

This concrete spillway in Barangay Tambis was completed on June 11, 2024 by the Leyte 4th District Engineering Office, with a project cost of ₱5.82 million.
On August 26, 2025, it was already heavily damaged.

What can be seen on site?
Parts of the concrete deck are broken.
The sides have collapsed because soil underneath was washed away.
A fallen coconut tree got stuck and blocked the water.
The foundation appears hollowed out by strong water flow.
The riverbanks on both ends are eroding.

In Simple Terms
A spillway is built specifically to handle floods.
If it cannot survive heavy rain after just one year, people will naturally ask:
Was it designed strong enough?
Was the foundation deep enough?
Was protection against soil erosion properly installed?
Was debris (like fallen coconut trees) considered in the design?
Heavy rain is normal in Leyte. Flooding is not a surprise event.
A flood-control structure should expect strong water.

Why This Matters
When a spillway fails:
Floodwater cannot pass properly.
Upstream areas may flood.
Farms and coconut plantations are at risk.
The structure may collapse further if not repaired quickly.
This project cost nearly ₱6 million. Taxpayers paid for it.
And this is only one of 10 similar projects.
Reasonable Questions

This is not about blame. It is about accountability.
Is the project still under warranty or defects liability period?
Were the correct plans and standards followed?
Was the design meant to withstand extreme rainfall?
Will repairs cost additional public funds?