Public Works reported winter-readiness measures including approximately 5,000 sandbags available to residents, plywood containment boxes that limited last week's high-tide flooding, upcoming smoke testing of storm drains and planned lining of about 10 storm drains before rains begin.

Finance director told council the 2024 funding agreement capped local NAWS commitments near $142 million; reimbursements to date are about $108 million, contracts and engineering commitments add just under $20 million, and finishing the remainder could require roughly $135 million more in total project cost and a local share near $47 million under current assumptions.

Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co were identified as proponents of P27 billion worth of projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) based on the testimony of Engineer Peter Paul Cortez, chief of the DPWH Programming Division, during the bail hearing of Romualdez. Romualdez is facing a P7.4 billion plunder case alongside Co, his personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Sereño, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation. Cortez stated that his division 'assumed' Romualdez and Co were proponents of the projects since their names were provided by the late Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, who died in December 2025 in an apparent fall into a ravine in Benguet. The witness explained that the DPWH database tagged Romualdez and Co as proponents based on Cabral's instructions, though these instructions were not documented. The P27 billion projects were not proposed by the DPWH under the National Expenditure Program but were part of congressional amendments included in the General Appropriations Act. Cortez mentioned that the amendments likely occurred during bicameral conference committee deliberations, which reconcile House and Senate budget versions. During cross-examination, Cortez confirmed he did not discuss the projects with Romualdez or his staff, and the DPWH database did not indicate any commissions related to the projects. Romualdez has consistently denied involvement in the alleged kickback scheme in flood control projects. The case is being handled by the Sandiganbayan Third Division, with Justice Karl Miranda presiding over the bail hearing. The prosecution witness, Cortez, emphasized that the database records were the basis for identifying the proponents, not direct communication with the lawmakers. This testimony is part of the ongoing legal proceedings against Romualdez and his associates in connection with the alleged misuse of public funds for infrastructure projects.

Engineers shifted several alignments and removed large downstream levees, using acquisitions and alternative protections in some neighborhoods; an alternate 27th Street alignment could avoid roughly 100 mobile-home acquisitions, presenters said.

City finance staff and NAWS project staff reported contractor defects at the biota water treatment plant and a conservative schedule that pushes permanent intake completion into mid‑2027 or later; staff said a 2024 funding agreement capped Minot's NAWS cap at $142M with roughly $14M of that cap currently available.

Quiddity Engineering told council the South Basin is substantially complete, South Basin design is about 95% done, and North Basin procurement will follow RFQ revisions to meet FEMA/TDEM grant compliance; staff expects construction activity to increase in spring 2027.

Residents of Cebu, particularly in Liloan and Compostela, commemorated the first anniversary of Typhoon Tino with a penitential walk from Cotcot Gymnasium to Tiltilon Elementary School, followed by a solemn Mass on November 4, 2026. The event highlighted ongoing challenges faced by communities affected by the typhoon, including persistent flooding, unsafe living conditions, and trauma. Discussions in the Padayon Cebu chatroom on Muni revealed that many residents remain without safe, permanent relocation a year after the disaster. Survivors shared stories of devastation, such as Alma Quingco, who lost belongings when floodwaters inundated her home in Danao City. The community also raised concerns about flood-control accountability, with reports indicating that P17.4 billion was spent on flood-control projects from 2016 to 2025, yet many measures remain unimplemented. Organizations like the Movement for a Livable Cebu (MLC) and Sugbuanong Pakigbisog Kontra Kurapsyon (SuPaKK) organized dialogues emphasizing transparency in flood-control spending and the need for comprehensive rehabilitation beyond just housing. A multi-stakeholder dialogue titled 'Kahinumdom pa mo namo?' addressed issues like relocation, flood-control spending, and the necessity for safe, affordable housing with access to livelihoods and utilities. Despite the challenges, organizers expressed hope that continued advocacy would lead to meaningful change. Typhoon Tino, which struck in 2025, affected nearly 2 million people, displaced over 636,000, and caused 96 confirmed deaths with many still missing. A year later, communities continue to call for safe relocation, transparent flood-control spending, and rehabilitation that addresses their long-term needs.

The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended seven engineers and an accountant from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in connection with questionable flood control projects in Surigao del Norte. The suspension, which is without pay for six months, is pending the resolution of administrative cases filed against them. The suspended officials include DPWH-Davao district engineer Annie dela Vega; DPWH-Surigao del Norte first district engineers III Federico Gotico III, Demilyn Castrence, Quintinano Armendariz Jr. and Edward Tinio; engineers II Ricky Arciga and Florencio Sulana; and accountant Jerome Sulapas. The ombudsman cited conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave misconduct, and serious dishonesty as the reasons for the suspension. The investigation revealed that the flood control projects were fully paid but incomplete. Meanwhile, in Oriental Mindoro, workers of construction firm Sunwest Inc. reportedly installed steel sheet piles into a substandard flood control project without DPWH-Mimaropa officials present. Sunwest Inc. is linked to former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who is wanted by authorities in connection with anomalous flood projects in several areas. Barangay Tagumpay captain Nestor Asi testified that he observed workers installing steel sheet piles at night, usually starting at 7 p.m., and that the piles were shorter than required. He raised his concerns to Abraham Panaligan, maintenance foreman of Naujan Construction, who confirmed seeing the shorter piles. The project engineer of Sunwest explained that the short sheet piles were meant for a cofferdam. The Ombudsman's preventive suspension is a precautionary measure against possible abuse of authority by the respondents' current offices in relation to the case. The suspension order was issued following complaints filed by the ombudsman's field investigation officer.

Public commenters and board members urged that sewer capacity, flooding and other infrastructure upgrades be addressed as part of any rezoning or large-scale development; planners said a neighborhood rezoning with an EIS would surface those needs.

The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended eight Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel pending resolution of administrative cases related to allegedly incomplete flood control projects in Surigao del Norte. The suspension was ordered by the Ombudsman's Field Investigation Office 2, which acted as the complainant in this case. According to the investigation, substantially incomplete infrastructure projects were fully paid for under the supervision of these officials, causing financial loss to the government. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) provided evidence showing that numerous DPWH projects listed as completed in Surigao del Norte were actually incomplete upon verification. The Ombudsman's office stated that the precautionary measure was taken to prevent possible abuse of authority by these officials while their cases are being processed. This action follows previous similar actions where six other DPWH personnel faced charges related to a P491.9 million right-of-way 'scam' involving allegedly fraudulent payments. The Commission on Audit (COA) has also previously reported that approximately P459 billion worth of DPWH projects were awarded to firms with questionable capacity, raising concerns about the oversight and accountability in infrastructure procurement processes. The Ombudsman's Field Investigation Office 2 emphasized that these suspensions are part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and proper implementation of government infrastructure programs. GMA News Online has contacted DPWH Region 11 for comment but has not yet received an official response as of the time of this report. The administrative cases against the suspended personnel will continue while investigations proceed into whether there was negligence or intentional misconduct in overseeing these flood control projects that were meant to protect communities from flooding. This case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability and proper financial management within government infrastructure programs, particularly those involving large-scale public works projects funded by taxpayers' money. The Ombudsman's office has been increasingly active in investigating alleged irregularities in the implementation of such projects across various regions.

The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended five engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan for alleged misconduct related to flood control projects. The suspended engineers, Michelle Cruz, Kevin Geronimo, Irene Ontingco, John Michael Ramos, and Bernardo Villafuerte, face charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and gross neglect of duty. The investigation concerns the construction of reinforced concrete slope revetments in the villages of Piel, San Roque, and Sulivan in Baliwag in 2024. According to graft investigators, the engineers allegedly falsified documents to make it appear that contractual and legal requirements had been met. The projects in question are valued at P188.9 million. The suspension period is six months. This case highlights ongoing efforts to address corruption and ensure accountability in public infrastructure projects. The Ombudsman's office continues to investigate similar cases involving government officials and contractors to maintain transparency and integrity in public works. The suspension of these engineers is part of a broader initiative to combat graft and ensure that public funds are properly utilized for infrastructure development. The Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan has been under scrutiny for several projects in the region, with this case being one of the most recent to come to light. The investigation is ongoing, and further actions may be taken against those found responsible for the alleged misconduct.

Community Development Director Ajax briefed council on a draft flood-control ordinance updated to align with Department of Ecology and upcoming FEMA flood maps; Ajax said Ecology recommended adopting changes before FEMA finalizes maps so the city will be in compliance during a planned federal audit.

Cass County Joint Water Resource District and the Metro Flood Diversion Authority told the council diversion-channel parcels (Drain 27/FM Diversion) do not benefit from Wall Avenue projects, are not developable, and should not be assessed; staff said the city maintains benefit calculations and will provide requested material.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating 26 additional flood control projects across the Philippines for alleged irregularities, according to a recent release. The investigation covers nine projects in Southeastern Mindanao, seven in Bulacan, and five in Cebu. These projects are part of a broader probe into flood infrastructure, with 47 projects in Davao City already under scrutiny by the NBI. Four of the Davao projects have been referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for further investigation. The NBI has also identified 17 cases filed before separate investigating panels and nine others currently being evaluated by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Among the cases, eight involve respondents including dismissed officials from the Bulacan first district engineering office, former congressman Zaldy Co, and former senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla. Three cases were jointly investigated by the NBI-Bulacan South District Office and a special task force of the NBI and DOJ, with respondents including Co, Revilla, and Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan has been dropped as a co-accused to become a state witness. Six DPWH officials and engineers, including Assistant Regional Director Ferdinand Dallo from the Bicol region, have been relieved from their posts due to alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects in Davao City. The relief followed an NBI recommendation to charge them in connection with dubious contracts awarded to private contractor Genesis88. Dallo, who was previously assigned to the Davao City district engineering office, was promoted to assistant regional director in Bicol in January amid a supposed cleanup of the DPWH. The NBI's investigation is being handled by various units including the Public Corruption Division and the Organized and Transnational Crimes Division, as well as district offices in Cebu, Lucena, and Cagayan Valley. The probe aims to address alleged financial misconduct and irregularities in flood control infrastructure projects across the country.