Davao city: The Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao (DPWH-11) announced its plans to intervene and negotiate with a contractor and a landowner to expedite repairs on the damaged Matina Gravahan flood control dike. The repair process has been stalled for over a year due to funding issues and a dispute between the involved parties.

According to Philippines News Agency, DPWH-11 spokesperson Dean Ortiz acknowledged the ongoing conflict and emphasized the regional office's commitment to resolving the issue. "We will intervene and negotiate with both the landowner and the contractor to expedite the repair of the damaged dike," Ortiz assured.

The project, which started in 2021 and concluded in 2023, faced setbacks when the dike was damaged in February 2024 as a result of severe weather conditions. Since the damage occurred, certain areas within the barangay have been vulnerable to flooding.

In a separate interview, the landowner, who chose to remain anonymous, alleged that they have not yet received PHP3.6 million in rental fees for the use of their 13-square-meter land during the construction period, which lasted over a year. The landowner has taken legal action by filing a case with the Office of the Ombudsman to claim the unpaid fees.

Meanwhile, the DPWH Davao City District Office reported that it had promptly submitted a request for emergency funds to address the damaged section of the dike. However, as of September 2025, the request has not been approved. Local officials have been encouraged to advocate for the swift release of these emergency funds to prevent further complications during the upcoming typhoon season.