A civil society group has filed a complaint against Department of Public Works and Highways officials over 138 flawed flood control projects in Bacolod City worth P3 billion, following severe flooding from Typhoon Verbena on November 25. The complaint demands investigation and charges. An anti-corruption protest is planned for November 30.
On Thursday, November 27, 2025, the Council of Concerned Citizens (C3) filed a complaint with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, including Negros Island Regional Director Denise Maria Ayag, acting Bacolod Engineering District Engineer Leah Jamero, former engineer Abraham Villareal, and their staff. According to Renecito Novero, C3 convenor, the complaint covers 138 flawed and unfinished flood control projects from 2022 to 2025, totaling around P3 billion, including P655.80 million in 2022, P1.02 billion in 2023, P748.21 million in 2024, and P584.60 million in 2025.
Novero highlighted specific projects such as the P152 million flood diversion channel in the Reclamation Area, Barangay 12; P170 million project in Barangay Pahanocoy; and others along Lupit, Mandalagan, and Singcang-Airport rivers. "We want the ICI to call local contractors and DPWH officials to explain why most of these 138 projects are defective. Then, recommend criminal and administrative charges," Novero said.
The filing followed severe flooding from heavy rains of Typhoon Verbena on November 25, with waters reaching rooftops in barangays like Singcang-Airport, Banago, and Tangub. Lawyer Ralph Sarmiento of the University of Saint La Salle-Bacolod said it was the first such flooding he had seen in 40 years. "People are now angry. They demand accountability for billions in flood control projects," added Cesar Beloria, another C3 convenor.
Meanwhile, the anti-corruption group Tama Na-Negros will lead the Trillion Peso March 2.0 on November 30 at Bacolod Public Plaza, starting at 1:30 p.m. from Lupit Church and Capitol Lagoon. Led by Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon and former governor Rafael Coscolluela, it urges residents to join wearing white t-shirts as a symbol against corruption. Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said officers will be deployed for security.