President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Monday, June 22, 2026, that a 70-meter dam project along the Mananga River in Talisay City, Cebu, is guaranteed funding in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP). The announcement came during his inspection of the Mananga River Flood Mitigation Structure, which spans barangays San Isidro, Lawaan II, Mohon, Dumlog, and Biasong.
"Mayroon tayong plano na maglagay ng dam sa taas dito sa Mananga River. It is a 70-meter dam. Ilalagay na namin. Nasa NEP na for 2027, naka-budget na. Titiyakin na natin na hindi magagalaw ang budget na iyon pagdating sa budget process," Marcos said. "Doon na natin haharangin sa taas ang tubig." (We have a plan to build a dam upstream along the Mananga River. It is a 70-meter dam. We will push through with it. It is already included in the 2027 NEP and has been budgeted. We will ensure that the allocation remains untouched during the budget process. We will stop the water upstream.)
Part of a broader flood control strategy for Cebu's major rivers
The proposed Mananga dam is not a standalone project but part of a larger engineering strategy to protect Metro Cebu. The plan involves widening river channels and building water impounding systems across Cebu's three major river systems: Mananga, Cotcot, and Butuanon. "I think it's an opportunity also na mabanggit na yung dam projects. Kung maaalala ninyo, tatlo ang malalaking ilog dito sa Cebu at kapag bumababa ang tubig, dumadaan ito sa mga ilog na iyon," Marcos explained in a statement shared by Radio Television Malacañang. (I think it's also an opportunity to mention the dam projects. If you recall, there are three major rivers in Cebu, and when water flows down, it passes through those rivers.)
A 30-year waiting game
The infrastructure plan follows the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Tino, which hit the region on November 4, 2025, triggering severe flash floods that destroyed many homes along riverbanks. The Mananga dam project was first proposed 30 years ago by a Norwegian consultant but was never implemented due to high costs and lack of a financial guarantee from the National Government. It was revived in the 2017 Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage Master Plan, but the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) did not fund it, leaving it and 11 other proposed dams in Metro Cebu sidelined until now.
Ongoing repairs offer immediate relief
Before the dam announcement, President Marcos inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the Mananga River Flood Mitigation Structure. The DPWH started emergency repairs three weeks after the 2025 typhoon, using gabions—large wire mesh baskets filled with rocks—to reinforce crumbling riverbanks. Workers expect to finish this emergency phase by the end of July 2026. "Hindi na masyadong mabilis ang takbo ng tubig, ngayon napakalaking bagay. Itutuloy namin, hindi pa tapos ito. We will still continue to repair and redesign the flood control here," Marcos said. (The water no longer flows as rapidly, and that is a big help. We will continue the work because this is not yet finished. We will keep repairing and redesigning the flood control system here.)
Looking ahead to a safer Cebu
By securing the budget for the 70-meter Mananga dam, the national government is taking a definitive step toward solving Cebu's decades-old flooding problem. As emergency riverbank repairs wrap up next month, local residents can anticipate a permanent defense system designed to protect families, homes, and futures from future storms.
