𝐃𝐏𝐖𝐇 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐆𝐌𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓

The Department of Public Works and Highways – Cagayan de Oro 1st District Engineering Office (DPWH CDO 1st DEO) issues this statement to clarify inaccurate information aired by GMA News report regarding the road reblocking project in Barangay Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City.

Contrary to the report’s claim that the project is being implemented solely by the DPWH CDO 1st DEO, there are 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 currently being implemented in the area—one by the DPWH CDO 1st DEO that starts near Formacion Store and ends at Rosales Store, and another by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cagayan de Oro City.

We confirm that the specific portion of the project shown in the video is 𝐧𝐨𝐭 under the jurisdiction of the DPWH CDO 1st DEO, but rather falls under the responsibility of the LGU. Furthermore, we clarify that the DPWH-implemented portion of the Barangay Canitoan project officially commenced in 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, not in 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 as stated in the report quoting the Barangay Council of Canitoan.

We also take this opportunity to address GMA’s claim that efforts were made to contact the DPWH Regional Office prior to the airing of the report. As of this writing, 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐆𝐌𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞.

While we acknowledge the role of media in informing the public, we respectfully urge all media outlets to observe thorough fact-checking and to coordinate directly with implementing agencies when covering government infrastructure projects. This ensures that the public receives accurate, complete, and verified information.

In light of the inaccuracies presented, we 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐌𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬, in the interest of transparency and responsible journalism.

The DPWH remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the timely delivery of infrastructure projects that serve the Filipino people.