Illegal logging blamed for Cagayan flooding amid Uwan

Residents of Tuao, Cagayan have blamed illegal logging and the lack of flood control projects in their area after floodwaters carrying logs destroyed many houses during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on 24 Oras on Wednesday, massive flooding hit the area on Sunday and early Monday when the Chico River overflowed due to the heavy rains brought by Uwan.

During clearing operations conducted by the local government in Barangay Barancuag, several trucks were filled with mud and debris from the forest such as tree branches and logs.

Among those whose homes were swept away by the flood was the Cabunag family, who have since put up a makeshift tent along the roadside as temporary shelter.

Benjie, one of the Cabunag children, did not mince words in venting his disgust at government officials for their alleged failure to anticipate the need for a flood protection project in their village.

“Yung dapat ibinulsa nila, dapat dito nilagyan (ng flood control project). Hindi sana kami aabot ng ganito kung may isip lang sila, kung may takot sila sa Diyos. Pero wala sir, mga swapang,” he said.

(“They took the funds meant for flood control projects. We wouldn’t have experienced this if they were mindful, if they feared the Lord. But they don’t—they’re selfish.”)

Cagayan Vice Governor Manuel Mamba said the logs that ended up in the Chico River came from the mountains of Kalinga and Mountain Province, which have become denuded due to illegal logging.

“We suffer the consequences of the denudation of forests in these areas,” Mamba said, noting that some of the logs that reached the lowlands appeared to have been newly cut.

He added that while there are existing flood control projects in Cagayan, houses in Tuao remain at risk whenever the Chico River overflows.

“If we were only consulted—if the local development councils were consulted—ito yung mga priority namin (these are our priorities). It never reached the decision-makers, especially our lawmakers,” Mamba said.

“Sila talaga ang kasalanan dito kasi preventable talaga ito. And we have a lot of money for it sana.”

(“They’re really to blame because this could have been prevented. We could have had enough funds for it.”)

The Tuao local government is currently looking for a resettlement area for residents left homeless by Uwan’s floods.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/MCG, GMA Integrated News