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Ombudsman to prioritize areas hit by Tino in task force's flood control probe
The Office of the Ombudsman’s Special Task Force investigating flood control projects will prioritize probing infrastructure works in areas affected by Typhoon Tino.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla issued a statement on Friday as protesters gathered before the Ombudsman’s office demanding accountability from those involved in alleged anomalous flood control projects.
"The Office of the Ombudsman stands in mourning with the nation for
the lives lost in the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino.
To the families of all victims of the calamity - we hear you, and we
have acted," said the Ombudsman in a statement.
"A special task force previously designated to investigate
flood control projects has been instructed to prioritize those projects
meant to prevent the onslaught of Typhoon Tino. Justice will be pursued with compassion, diligence, and resolve," it added.
Concrete action
The groups that protested before the Office of the Ombudsman, which include Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment, People Surge National Alliance of Disaster Survivors, and Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot, among others, said there is an urgent need to probe the 414 infrastructure projects worth P26.7 billion pesos in Cebu.
"Ang matinding baha at pagkawasak ng kabahayan at kabahayan sa Negros at Cebu ay nakaugat sa pandarambong ng kalikasan, mas pinalala lang ng kurapsyon ang pinsala nito," Cathleen De Guzman of Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment said.
(The devastating flood and destruction of homes and livelihoods in Negros at Cebu are rooted in corruption of the environment, made worse by the corrupt public officials and their cohorts. While they enrich themselves, the poor pay the price.)
"Kailangan ng konkretong aksyon, kumpensasyon, wakasan na ang mga pamumuno ng mga nakaupong milyonaryo't bilyonaryo na mga korap,” Mimi Doringo, Spokesperson of People Surge National Alliance of Disaster Survivors added.
(We need concrete action, compensation, and to end the ruling of the corrupt elite.)
Niña Fegi of Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot, for her part, said protests should be sustained pending the imprisonment of those who are behind the "ghost" infrastructure projects.
"Hangga't walang nakukulong, nararapat lang ang pagkakaisa at paglaban ng mamamayang Pilipino, pagkalampag ng hustisya sa mga biktima ng sakuna at ang daan-daang Pilipino na biktima ng kahirapan dulot ng korapsyon," Fegi said.
(Pending jail time for the corrupt, we need to stand together in this fight and pursue our call for justice for the victims of their corruption. Protests will be held in schools, factories, agencies and the streets.)
Deaths, State of National Calamity
The reported death toll due to Typhoon Tino has increased to 188, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Friday.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in its 6 a.m. report said 96 people were reported injured after Tino’s onslaught.
Tino affected a total of 2,258,782 people or 635,565 families in different regions. Of which, 397,634 were displaced from their homes.
A total of 9,585 houses were damaged — 9,321 partially and 264 totally, according to the NDRRMC.
Damage to agriculture worth P10,615,193 and to infrastructure worth P6,330,000 were also reported.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said he has approved the recommendation to declare a state of national calamity due to Tino.
Marcos said this after a situation briefing with concerned government agencies.
““Because of the scope of problem areas that [have] been hit by Tino and will be hit by Uwan... There was a proposal from the NDRRMC which I approved that we declare a national calamity,” Marcos said.
''There will be almost 10 regions, 10 to 12 regions that will be affected. So pagkaganoong karami, ganoon ang scope, then it is a national calamity... that gives us quicker access to some of the emergency funds,'' he added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
