Senator Erwin Tulfo is calling for an investigation into the massive and recurring flooding in Palawan, particularly in Puerto Princesa City, following the latest deluge that displaced thousands of families.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently rescued nearly 100 families in a single town in Puerto Princesa after their homes were submerged by floods caused by Typhoon Crising. Over 6,000 families from 31 barangays across the city have been displaced.
This is not an isolated incident. In February of this year, Puerto Princesa was placed under a State of Calamity after being inundated by heavy flooding–despite the absence of a typhoon, but rather due to a “shear line” or sudden changes in wind direction.
This is what Tulfo seeks to investigate–the massive and recurring floods in Palawan, particularly in Puerto Princesa City whenever there are rains.
“Almost 100 families or more than 200 individuals were rescued by the Coast Guard in one town in Puerto Princesa because their houses were submerged in flood.”
“Almost 100 families or more than 200 individuals were rescued by the Coast Guard in one town in Puerto Princesa because their houses were submerged in flood,” the legislator said.
The lawmaker likewise stressed that the same thing happened last February even though there was no typhoon to begin with.
“The people of Palawan would want to know why is it so quick for floods to submerge their communities,” added the neophyte senator.
“Are there illegal operations on logging and mining that washed out the natural flood barrier?”
“Don’t they have a reliable drainage system? Is it because of failed urban planning? Are there illegal operations on logging and mining that washed out the natural flood barrier?” he asked.
According to Tulfo who grew up in Palawan, “the residents need clarity from the Local Government Unit and other government agencies about the root of this problem afflicting their lives.”
He is set to file a Senate Resolution seeking a full inquiry into the flooding problem and the appropriate interventions that must be urgently put in place.
“And if there are people who need to be held accountable–whether for negligence or corruption–so be it,” Tulfo concluded.
