Fiery face-off: Zamboanga del Sur Mayor confronts DPWH enginers over alleged substandard project

• Mayor Balong Molina of Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur, confronted DPWH engineers during an inspection of a flood control project

• The mayor claims the flood control levee is substandard and even challenged the engineers to pull out a sheet pile to prove his point

• Molina has been vocal in his criticism, calling for a thorough investigation into the allegedly anomalous project

• The incident highlights the ongoing issue of accountability and the quality of public infrastructure projects

A fiery confrontation unfolded in the municipality of Kumalarang as Mayor Balong Molina personally inspected a flood control project and unexpectedly ran into engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The incident, captured on video and widely shared online, highlights the mayor's vocal criticism of the project, which he claims is defective and fails to meet proper standards.

The tense encounter took place on Wednesday in Barangay Boyugan East, where a new flood control levee is under construction.

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According to local reports, Mayor Molina, who has long expressed his dissatisfaction with the project's quality, was conducting his own inspection when he saw two engineers from the DPWH 2nd Engineering District.

The engineers reportedly attempted to avoid the mayor, but he quickly intercepted them, leading to a heated verbal exchange.

During the confrontation, Mayor Molina lambasted the DPWH representatives, accusing them of overseeing a subpar project that is not built to withstand the region's frequent flooding.

In a dramatic display of his frustration, he challenged the engineers to physically pull out a sheet pile from the levee to prove its integrity.

The mayor has repeatedly asserted that the materials used are of inferior quality, raising concerns that the infrastructure will not be able to protect the community from future floods.

This is not the first time Mayor Molina has spoken out against the project. He has publicly condemned the project as "anomalous" and has called for a comprehensive investigation into all individuals involved.

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The mayor's actions reflect a growing frustration among local officials over the quality and transparency of government-funded infrastructure projects, which are often sources of public concern.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the accountability expected from government agencies and their contractors.

While the DPWH has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the mayor's allegations, the public nature of the confrontation puts pressure on both the agency and the local government to resolve the issue and ensure the safety of Kumalarang residents.

Mayor Molina's firm stance against the allegedly defective project sends a strong message that he will not tolerate any irregularities, making it clear he is prepared to hold those responsible accountable for the project's quality.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories that people could easily understand and relate in their lives.

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In other news, a 38-year-old dance instructor in Opol, Misamis Oriental, was arrested for statutory rap3 on a warrant dated August 22, 2025. Police Major Joan G. Navarro said the suspect, the ninth most wanted person regionally, did not resist arrest. The victim, who joined the suspect’s dance lessons during the town fiesta in August 2024, was lured to his house and rap3d. The case surfaced in February 2025 after the victim confided in her mother, leading to the filing of charges.

Still in other news, three women were intercepted at NAIA Terminal 3 after being found with fake overseas employment contracts. The women were traveling to Hong Kong on tourist visas with a final destination of Cambodia, a common route for human traffick1ng and online scamming schemes. They were reportedly recruited through social media, highlighting the risks of illegal job offers online. Authorities are urging the public to verify job offers with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to avoid falling victim to similar scams.

Source: KAMI.com.gh