Gullas explains controversial Manipis road project

Local

TALISAY City Mayor Samsam Gullas on Friday, Sept. 26, clarified that the controversial P49-million road project in Barangay Manipis is not a ghost project but a suspended undertaking of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The controversy erupted after a viral social media post showed a tarpaulin in Manipis announcing a road construction project with a December 7, 2024 completion date, despite no visible roadwork.

The post questioned whether the project even existed.

QM Builders, the contractor identified on the tarpaulin, is among the top firms that have been awarded multiple government flood control projects in Cebu and other areas in recent years.

Gullas said he immediately ordered an investigation after the post spread online.

He explained that the project, implemented by DPWH, was meant to build an alternate route from Sitio Campinsa to Manipis to provide motorists with another access road in case of landslides.

However, DPWH suspended the work due to the lack of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), a permit from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and unresolved road right-of-way issues.

Gullas pointed out that the Talisay City Government was never informed of the suspension, which fueled public confusion.

He stressed that project tarpaulins should also indicate when work has been suspended.

“If a project is suspended, it should be clearly indicated on the tarpaulin, especially since a projected completion date was already placed. This way, people are informed and concerns are clarified,” he said.

Interviewed by reporters, Engr. Leslie Anthony Molina, District Engineer of the DPWH Second Engineering Division, confirmed that the project was not abandoned but put on hold because of pending right-of-way issues and compliance requirements under the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL).

"Nasuspend nato siya maproceed but still ang kuan nato niya is nagsecure pata og permit ngadto sa CCPL ug PAMB kay once matagaan ta og clearance ato, maderecho na nato og implement ang budget," he said.

He explained that most of the allocation remains intact and has not been used for actual construction, although DPWH already released 15 percent of the amount as a mobilization fund for the contractor.(MyTVCebu)