The Government has formally requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct prior consultations with the city government and secure Sangguniang Panlungsod approval before implementing any infrastructure projects here.
In a letter dated January 21, 2026, addressed to DPWH Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Bringas Dizon, Mayor Maria Cielo A. Martinez expressed appreciation for the national government’s allocation of projects under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, describing them as essential to the city’s rehabilitation following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks.
These projects, she said, are critical in helping affected communities recover and restoring essential services and infrastructure in the city.
The mayor also raised concerns over past DPWH projects in Bogo City that she said lacked sufficient coordination with local officials.
She cited a road project in Barangay Malingin that required residents to relocate without prior discussion with the city government.
Martinez noted that the local government had to independently address the resettlement of affected households, highlighting the challenges that arise when national projects are implemented without consultation.
Another example cited in the mayor’s letter was the unfinished flood control project at Arroyo Creek in Barangay Taytayan.
The incomplete project drew criticism on social media and, according to Martinez, resulted in the local government being unfairly blamed for the stalled work.
She stressed that such situations could have been avoided through proper planning, coordination, and communication with the city.
To prevent similar issues, Martinez requested that DPWH conduct consultations with the city government and obtain Sangguniang Panlungsod approval before starting any project within Bogo City.
She referenced the Local Government Code, which mandates that national government agencies must consult with local governments and secure approval from the appropriate Sanggunian before implementing projects, especially those that may require relocation of residents or significantly affect communities.
In addition to consultations, the mayor asked DPWH to provide a clearly defined schedule of implementation for all projects.
This schedule, she said, should include timelines from pre-procurement conferences, issuance of notices to proceed, and the execution phases of each project, including Gantt chart or PERT-CPM outlines.
Martinez emphasized that having such a schedule would allow the city government and the city council to participate meaningfully in planning, monitoring, and oversight, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently and with transparency.
Martinez concluded that the City Government of Bogo formally objects to the implementation of any DPWH project in its jurisdiction until the requirements on consultation, council approval, and coordination under the Local Government Code are fully complied with.
The letter was also furnished to officials of the DPWH Cebu 4th District Engineering Office, including the Planning and Design Section, for proper action and compliance.
The Bogo City government’s stance echoes similar decisions made by other local governments.
In December 2025, Danao City rejected several DPWH projects proposed for this year, citing a misalignment with the city’s priority infrastructure needs.
Mayor Nito Durano and Vice Mayor Ivy Durano emphasized that many proposed road projects targeted streets that were still in good condition, while more urgent projects, such as bridges and flood mitigation measures, were left unaddressed.
Danao City officials requested the national government to focus on projects critical to disaster risk reduction, public safety, and climate resilience, rather than repairing roads that did not require major rehabilitation.
Danao City was affected by the massive flooding brought by Typhoon Tino in September 2025, and was also rocked by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Bogo City that impacted northern Cebu.
By formally asserting its position, Bogo City joins other local governments in advocating for greater consultation, planning, and prioritization of national projects, ensuring that infrastructure investments respond to the real needs of the communities they are meant to serve.
