Senate sets probe on severe flooding in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Senators Joel Villanueva and Imee Marcos have filed resolutions to investigate the national government’s failure in addressing the country’s flood problem after the onslaught of Typhoon Egay.

Villanueva and Marcos’ home provinces Bulacan and Ilocos Norte, respectively, were among the provinces devastated by the typhoon, which drew comparisons with storm Ondoy 14 years ago.

“I went around Bulacan, and all barangays – not just one or two – all barangays, are submerged in water. How can we say that the (Department of Public Works and Highways’) P183 billion budget for flood control program, this year alone, is effective?” Villanueva said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

In his resolution, Villanueva wants the Senate to conduct an inquiry into the government’s urban drainage system and flood protection plans and programs in Metro Manila and other vulnerable areas.

“There is a need for the national government to immediately study and review the Flood Control System and Flood Control Interventions, as well as engineering solutions of the country specifically in the areas which are prone to flooding... and the study on the impact of ongoing and existing reclamation projects, silted rivers and subsidence to protect and safeguard lives, property and the environment,” Marcos said.

In her resolution, Marcos wants an investigation into the effectiveness of the national government’s flood control program “amidst extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change, global warming, and global boiling.”

Villanueva said there is a need to review the flood mitigation policies of DPWH, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other agencies.

Marcos also cited infrastructure damage based on DPWH numbers: P887.1 million damage to roads, P48.2 million damage to bridges, and P1.73 billion damage to flood-control structures.

Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. earlier said he will summon Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, noting that the DPWH has a P594.62 billion budget and the MMDA a P6 billion budget for flood control programs.

‘Similar to Ondoy’

The province of Bulacan is suffering from floodwaters similar to that of Tropical Storm Ondoy back in 2009, according to Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando.

Ondoy, known internationally as Ketsana, killed at least 671 people and caused widespread flooding in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

The provincial government of Bulacan earlier declared a state of calamity due to floodwater brought by Typhoons Egay and Falcon.

As of yesterday, the towns of Calumpit, Hagonoy, Bocaue and Guiguinto remained flooded.

One of the reasons for the flooding was Bustos Dam releasing 737 cubic meters per second of water amid heavy rains, he added.

Fernando said flood control projects are needed in the province to address floods.

Bulacan drowning

A 74-year-old from Barangay Panginay in Bulacan drowned as the province continues to struggle with floodwaters and flood-related deaths, now at seven.

This is according to reports that reached Manuel Lukban Jr., head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Bulacan.

Flood-affected barangays in the province have reached 237 as of Thursday morning.

There are 28 barangays affected by floodwater in Malolos and San Miguel, according to PDRRMO.

There are also 25 in Calumpit, 22 each in Meycauayan and San Rafael, 19 in Pulilan, 14 in Bulakan, 13 each in San Jose del Monte and Paombong, 11 in Bocaue, nine in Balagtas, eight each in Guiguinto and Baliwag, five each in Plaridel and San Ildefonso, three in Obando, two in Bustos and one each in Angat and Pandi.

A total of 16,324 families took temporary shelter in different evacuation centers.

The PDRRMO reported a total of P500 million worth of damage in infrastructures throughout the province while the rice, vegetable, corn and fishery sectors suffered losses amounting to P175,116,971.00. Livestock and poultry losses amounted to P22,626,800.

Price freeze

Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Camiling and Paniqui in Tarlac and Zaragosa in Nueva Ecija have implemented a price freeze following state of calamity declarations due to Typhoon Egay and the southwest monsoon, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). ?

“A price freeze on basic necessities is now in effect in select areas in Central Luzon which were placed under a state of calamity,” the DTI-3 said.

Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act automatically freezes the price of basic necessities at their prevailing prices for 60 days in areas that declare a state of calamity. The price of household liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene shall be frozen for 15 days.

“The price freeze aims to stabilize the cost of basic necessities and prime commodities, ensuring that the essential items remain accessible to all consumers, especially those affected by the calamity,” said DTI regional director Brigida Pili.

Intensified monitoring is being conducted to combat any attempts to exploit market conditions, according to Pili.

Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda distributed on Tuesday 4,038 food packs to affected coastal barangays in the towns of Sasmuan and Lubao.

There were 3,223 food packs distributed to affected residents in Sasmuan, which include Barangays Sebitanan (754), Malusac (1,020), Batang 1st (121), Batang 2nd (897) and Mabuanbuan (431).

Pineda also distributed 815 food packs to residents in Lubao, in Barangays Bangcal Pugad (523) and Bangcal Sinubli (292).

Food packs were also distributed to the severely flooded towns of Sta. Ana (3,000), Apalit (5,000) and Guagua (6,000).

Pampanga was placed in a state of calamity on July 31.

Meanwhile, more than 30,000 food and non-food packs worth over P17 million have been distributed to Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra and Baguio City by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

P4.47 billion agriculture damage

Agricultural damage in 10 regions has reached P4.47 billion, according to the Deparment of Agriculture (DA).

“The affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries. Damage was also incurred in irrigation systems, agricultural and fishery infrastructures, and fishing paraphernalia,” the DA said.

The damage to rice reached P1.75 billion affecting 111,5477 hectares and a production loss of 42,754 MT. — Emmanuel Tupas, Rainier Allan Ronda, Cesar Ramirez, Bella Cariaso