'Ano'ng nangyari sa ‘building back better’?': Senate, House eye probe into widespread flooding after Typhoon Carina
The House of Representatives committee on Metro Manila Development has scheduled an investigation for July 31 to address the extensive flooding caused by Typhoon Carina and the Habagat.
This came after Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to get their "acts together" and called for a senate investigation on "the failure of billions worth of flood control projects to curb the effect" of Carina.
“Swaths of NCR are flooded so work and classes are suspended; we deploy our frontliners who rescue and evacuate affected families; generous volunteers and groups organize donation efforts and distribute aid; after the rains end, we assess the costs of the damage and evacuees are sent home.” Escudero said on Thursday.
"Repeat, ganito na lang ba palagi? Tatanggapin na lang natin na kapag malakas ang ulan, magbabaha at mapaparalisa ang ikot ng buhay natin? Ano'ng nangyari sa ‘building back better’?" he continued.
Last year, the lawmaker said during the budget deliberations that the DPWH has an allocation of around P255 billion for flood control projects, which is much higher than allocations for irrigation (P31 billion), the construction of new hospitals, the Department of Agriculture (P40.13 billion), and the Department of Health (P24.57 billion).
Panel Chairman Representative Rolando Valeriano of Manila’s second district then emphasized the urgent need to evaluate the widespread destruction caused by the recent calamity, including the impact that extended beyond residential areas, such as numerous vehicles being submerged in floodwaters in the metro and surrounding areas.
"First of all, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metro Manila Development Authority should explain what happened to our flood control systems and why was it not able to contain the rains dumped by typhoon Carina,” Valeriano said, adding that the departments mentioned should always "expect the worst" when it comes to typhoon, benchmarking the effects of Ondoy and Yolanda in 2009 and 2013, respectively.
The members of the house committee, particularly those representing regions heavily impacted by typhoon Carina, are anticipated to seek clarifications from pertinent government agencies concerning the typhoon's aftermath.
"What is important here is that we should be able to hear the long-term plans and programs of these agencies. Our ultimate solution is prevention – which is to prevent such incidents from happening again," Valeriano said.
Damage and losses
The agriculture sector has now incurred P203.38 million in damage and losses across 10,688 hectares of farmland caused by the recent typhoon and the southwest monsoon.
According to the latest update of DA's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center, the aftermath was recorded in the regions of Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.
The adverse weather conditions impacted approximately 9,200 farmers, leading to the destruction of 2,574 metric tons (MT) of agricultural produce, comprising mainly rice and corn.
Specifically, P191.53 million worth of production loss of rice was recorded due to the damage to 10,442 hectares of rice farms, making it the "most damaged sector" by the typhoon and the monsoon rains. On the other hand, the corn sector registered P3.27 million in losses, damaging 152 hectares.
Meanwhile, the number of affected livestock remained at 2,323 heads of chicken, cattle, and goat, resulting in P80,900 losses to raisers.
The DA Unit said these figures are still subject to validation.
To help the affected farmers, the DA's Agricultural Credit Policy Council is ready to provide a P25,000 loan payable in three years at zero interest.
At least 21 dead
Meanwhile, Col. Jean Fajardo, the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), reported that at least 21 died, 15 were injured, and five were reported missing due to the onslaught of the recent typhoon. 11 fatalities recorded were from CALABARZON, seven from Metro Manila, and three from Central Luzon.
The common causes of death are drowning, electrocution, and landslides.
Moreover, the heavy rains and floods have forced almost 47,682 families, totaling 202,015 individuals, to leave their homes.
They have found shelter in 14,872 evacuation centers that were set up in the affected areas. Additionally, about 10,437 individuals were rescued in 245 search and rescue operations, as per Fajardo.
The PNP is closely monitoring Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, and Bicol, with officers deployed to areas needing urgent assistance.
Pension funds open emergency loan
In response to the impact of Typhoon Carina, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS) have initiated emergency loan programs to assist their affected members and pensioners.
GSIS has allocated P18.5 billion in emergency loans to assist 864,089 members and pensioners located in Metro Manila, Batangas, and Rizal, which have all been declared under a state of calamity.
Members and pensioners may apply for emergency loans starting July 26 until October 28.
To qualify for the emergency loans, active members need to meet these criteria:
- Must be residing or working in the calamity areas.
- Active service and not on leave of absence without pay and have at least three months of paid premiums within the last six months.
- Those with no pending administrative or criminal cases, no due and demandable loan, and a net take-home pay of not lower than P5,000 after all required monthly obligations have been deducted may also do so.
- Old-age and disability pensioners are also qualified to apply if their resulting net monthly take-home pension after loan availment is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension.
According to GSIS, members who have an existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to pay off their previous balance and still receive a maximum net amount of P20,000.
The loan is payable in three years or 36 equal monthly installments at an interest rate of six percent per annum.
For SSS, members can borrow a loan equivalent to their one monthly salary credit or up to a maximum of P20,000, which they could pay in two years or 24 equal monthly installments with an annual interest rate of 10 percent. To qualify:
- Members should have at least 36 monthly contributions and should be below 65 years old to avail of the calamity loan.
- Should have no final benefit claim, no past due short-term loans, and no outstanding restructured loan or calamity loan.
DBM: Over P11-B calamity fund still available
Speaking of funds, the government still has over P11 billion, half its 2024 calamity fund, available to address the impacts of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.
According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund (NDRRMF)—commonly known as the Calamity Fund—is P11.123 billion out of the total allocation of P22.736 billion for this year. This includes a carryover amount of P2.236 billion from the preceding year's budget.
In case you didn't know, calamity funds are used for aid, relief, and rehabilitation services to various areas, as well as for repair and reconstruction works following natural or human-induced calamities.
The Quick Response Fund (QRF), which is a "built-in budgetary allocation that represents pre-disaster or standby fund for agencies to immediately assist areas stricken by catastrophes and crises," can be mobilized by the identified frontline government to also support all operations for disaster rescue and relief.
On Wednesday, July 24, Metro Manila was declared under a state of calamity due to the floods and rainfall brought by Typhoon Carina (international name Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon.
Aside from the NCR, Bataan, Bulacan, Batangas, and Cavite were also declared under a state of calamity, as well as Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro Kabacan, Cotabato; Pikit, Cotabato; Butuan, Davao de Occidental, and several others. (With reports from Marc Jasyon Cayabyab, Delon Porcalla, Louise Maureen Simeon, Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas, and Emmanuel Tupas)