Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco hit back at critics questioning the city’s flood control structures, saying the plywood seen in viral photos was never meant to block floodwaters but was only used as a guide to align sandbags during emergency repairs on a section of the seawall damaged by private vessels.
“Hindi po yan pangharang sa alon at hindi po yan dahil palpak ang ating flood control projects,” Tiangco said during his Facebook Live broadcast on November 10. “Nilagay lang po ‘yung plywood para maging pantay-pantay yung sandbag na nilalagay ng mga taga-DPWH at City Hall.”
The lawmaker explained that the area where the plywood was placed—behind the Navotas Cemetery—was the same section struck last year by multiple cargo ships, including the M/V Isabel and Fei Fei. While the seawall’s structure remained intact, the upper layer was damaged due to repeated collisions.
“Hindi po nabuwal ang ating dike. Ang nasira lang ay yung ibabaw,” Tiangco said, showing videos of the incidents.
According to Tiangco, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) estimated the total cost of repair at ₱80.5 million, which must be shouldered by the owners of the vessels responsible. While Isabel’s owner, Xingyun Marine Transport, has already begun work on its assigned portion, Fei Fei’s owner—Hi-Tone Construction—allegedly ignored government notices and refused to coordinate.
Tiangco said Hi-Tone, one of 15 blacklisted contractors, is the firm responsible for Fei Fei, with the deed of sale signed by Christopher S. Co, the brother of Albay Representative Zaldy Co. “Sa mga hearing, sinasabi ni Hi-Tone ang may-ari daw ay si Edgar Acosta pero ang pumirma sa pagbili ay si Christopher Co,” Tiangco said. “Talagang balasubas itong mga ito. Isipin mo, ayaw i-repair yung nasira nila.”
The lawmaker added that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has since ordered the agency to complete the necessary repairs while pursuing legal action against Hi-Tone Construction and its owners. “Ang desisyon ni Sec. Vince, pagawa na lang sa DPWH at idemanda ang may-ari ng Fei-Fei,” Tiangco said.
He emphasized that the flooding seen over the weekend came from the unrepaired portion damaged by Fei Fei, not from a failure of the city’s flood control system itself.
“Hindi naman pwedeng gobyerno ang gumastos dyan dahil sila ang nakabangga,” he said. “Yung pumasok na tubig noong Sabado ng gabi, dyan mismo sa nasirang bahagi ni Fei Fei pumasok.”
Tiangco also defended the city’s ongoing flood control projects, explaining that Navotas faces unique challenges with its 15-kilometer stretch of coastal and river systems and low-lying geography. “Kami lang sa buong Metro Manila ang LGU na pinaliligiran ng dagat at ilog. Hindi taon-taon may pondo, kaya unti-unti ang paggawa,” he noted.
He ended his broadcast with a pointed message to his critics. “Sa mga corrupt at kurakot, at sa mga trolls nila, hindi ko kayo aatrasan. Tuloy tuloy ko po kayong eexpose,” said Tiangco.
