Despite over ₱26 billion in funds allocated for flood control projects, areas in the province of Cebu were struck by deadly flash floods during the onslaught of Typhoon Tino, resulting in casualties and damaged properties.
“We were prepared. We did everything we can to follow the protocol for preparedness. The point is, the flash flood… the water rose dramatically in less than 10 minutes. Talagang ang bilis kaya ang daming casualty doon,” Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro said in an interview on Balansyado.
She said she was grateful the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was looking into the project anomalies and promised the local government’s cooperation. Their findings and relevant documents connected to local flood control projects have already been turned over to the probe body.
“I had the question… I got curious e, ₱26—almost ₱27 billion funds na directed for Cebu and yet we suffer this kind of flooding,” Baricuatro said. “What we’ve seen so far is mga substandard flood control projects, even a few ghost projects.”
The governor was adamant that politicians involved in the widespread flood control anomalies should be held accountable, asserting that the deaths caused by the typhoon were their responsibility to bear.
“They should be accountable for what they did, because it’s costing lives. Those politicians involved: blood is in your hands,” she said.
Many residents in subdivisions close to rivers who did not join the preemptive evacuations died. Baricuatro believes the number of casualties will only rise as missing persons are found in rescue and recovery operations.
Moreover, 32 municipalities and three component cities sustained damages from Typhoon Tino.
“It’s vast kasi ang laki ng coverage ng typhoon,” Baricuatro explained.
Only 60 percent in the city and 40 percent in the province are with electricity and water. Only by Friday can 90 percent hope to have their power restored.
Thankfully, the governor notes, the earthquake-struck areas were not affected by flash floods. She encouraged the people of Cebu not to lose hope and believe in a better tomorrow.
“I would like to tell the people of Cebu na do not lose hope, everything happens for a reason, and we do not know what (awaits us) tomorrow. Bangon, Cebu, kumbati (fight!),” Baricuatro said.
The Cebu government is providing cooked meals for locals staying at evacuation centers and has turned over packed box meals to smaller local government units (LGUs) to distribute among their constituents.
