Calls for #JusticeForCebu resound after ‘Tino’ devastation
Metro Manila, Philippines - People in Cebu and a number of social media users called for justice for the province, which was severely devastated in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi).
As of Thursday, Nov. 6, “Tino” killed at least 71 people in Cebu, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said, while at least 65 others were missing.
Videos from Cebuanos showed high floodwaters sweeping away vehicles, destroying houses, with many residents calling for rescue as they were trapped on their roofs at the height of the typhoon.
The scenes drew attention to the multimillion-peso flood control anomalies under investigation. Others lamented the back-to-back tragedy after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in October.
Social media users post messages with the hashtag #JusticeForCebu to demand accountability. “Corruption kills,” they said.
“P26 billion of flood control funds for Cebu yet we are flooded to the max,” Cebu Gov. Pam Baricuatro wrote on Facebook.
In a news briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 6, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shared the people’s exasperation.
Citing information from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) website, Castro said 343 flood control projects were carried out in Cebu from 2016 to 2022, and 168 projects from 2023 to 2025, including 55 still under construction.
“Kung meron siya pang alam na facts, may mga data si governor para dito na makakatulong sa ating gobyerno para mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot, ‘yan ay welcome,” she said.
[Translation: If the governor still has facts and data that could help the government to demand accountability from those responsible, those facts and data are welcome.]
In his visit in Cebu on Wednesday, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said he will leave the investigation to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, but the DPWH will have to coordinate with the Cebu government for the “right” flood control infrastructure.
“There needs to be a complete rethinking and replanning of flood mitigation not just in Talisay but the entire Cebu province,” Dizon said.
Not just flood control
Aside from seemingly failed flood control projects, netizens blamed deforestation, quarrying, and alleged unregulated development in Cebu for the unprecedented flooding.
Castro said such reports must be investigated by the national government, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“With that kind of situation, hindi na kailangan iutos ng pangulo dahil alam nila kung ano ang nais ng pangulo at ano ang mga direktiba ng pangulo sa mga ganung klaseng kalamidad,” she said.
[Translation: With that kind of situation, the president does not have to issue an order as they already know what the president wants or his directives in relation to these kinds of calamities.]
NewsWatch Plus has sought the DENR for comment.
