Why repair roads that are still in good condition?
That is the question Danao City officials are raising about several infrastructure projects proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2026.
The city government has rejected the proposals, saying they do not address the most urgent needs of residents.
Vice Mayor Ivy Durano explained that the projects mostly involve road repair and re-concreting works on streets the city considers still serviceable.
The proposed initiatives were presented by DPWH Cebu Fifth District officials during a courtesy call to Mayor Nito Durano, who was also asked to grant the necessary permits.
After reviewing the plans, the mayor declined to approve them, citing a lack of alignment with the city’s development priorities.
“Sad to note, ang project nga gi-submit sa DPWH ngadto kang Mayor Nito for 2026 are not priority projects of the City,” Vice Mayor Durano said.
She added that several proposed projects focus on roads that do not require major rehabilitation, quoting the mayor: “Naa pa may daghan nga angay’ng sementuhon nga karsada sa Danao, nganong gub-on man ninyo ang maayo pa.”
Instead of approving the DPWH plans, Mayor Durano wrote to the national government, including President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to present the city’s priority infrastructure requirements.
The mayor highlighted recurring flooding incidents and the damage caused by Typhoon Tino on November 4, 2025, which left Danao Bridge 1 in Barangay Taboc severely damaged and unusable, cutting off key transportation routes.
Under the proposed 2026 national budget, DPWH allocated around P89.35 million for projects in Danao City, including road asphalting and widening along Cebu North Hagnaya Wharf Road, retrofitting of Danao Bridge No. 2, and completion of a DPWH district office building.
Durano noted these projects, while beneficial, are less urgent than the construction and repair of critical bridges needed for disaster risk reduction and public safety.
The city also inspected the SIPAG Project for a road along C.P. Garcia Street, which had already undergone bidding.
The city engineering office reported that the road remains in good condition.
In a November 24, 2025 letter, the DPWH district engineer acknowledged the city’s findings, stating that the project could be canceled if the city does not support it.
Mayor Durano has requested that the 2026 infrastructure budget be reprogrammed to prioritize the construction of the Guinacot to Quisol Bridge and the reconstruction of Danao Bridge 1 in Barangay Taboc.
Vice Mayor Durano said the city’s stance reflects its policy that infrastructure investments should address pressing needs rather than repairing roads that are still serviceable.
