Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Central Visayas challenged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s claim that the government has shifted to a “predictive” approach in disaster response, saying recurring floods and alleged irregularities in flood control projects show that authorities have yet to address the causes of disasters.
In a statement released Tuesday, July 28, a day after Marcos delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), BAYAN Central Visayas criticized the administration’s disaster strategy, which the group said remains focused on responding after calamities instead of preventing risks before they happen.
Marcos highlighted during his SONA the government’s use of digital tools, pre-positioned relief supplies, and a nationwide network of disaster resource centers to improve preparedness and response.
BAYAN Central Visayas chairperson Jaime Paglinawan, however, said the government’s preparation of relief goods does not address the factors that leave communities vulnerable to flooding and other disasters.
“Kung tinuod nga predictive na ang disaster response, nganong bisan gamayng ulan, baha gihapon ang atong mga komunidad? Sa pagsulod sa ting-uwan ug panahon sa mga bagyo, ang katawhan nag-atubang gihapon sa hulga sa pagbaha ug pagkaguba sa panginabuhian. Dili igo ang pag-preposition og relief goods kung ang gobyerno mismo napakyas sa pagpatuman og epektibong flood control ug disaster mitigation,” Paglinawan said.
The group issued its statement as Cebu continued to deal with the effects of recent disasters, including the flooding and damage brought by Tropical Storm Tino.
BAYAN Central Visayas also questioned the government’s handling of alleged corruption involving flood control projects. The group said the reported recovery of around P800 million and the freezing of several billion pesos connected to investigations remain insignificant compared with the hundreds of billions of pesos allocated for flood mitigation projects over the years.
The group urged authorities to investigate and hold accountable all individuals allegedly involved, including government officials, politicians, and contractors.
Paglinawan also criticized what he described as selective accountability in corruption investigations, saying authorities should not focus only on one political group.
“Si Marcos ang Hari sa Korapsyon, apan gusto niyang ipakita nga siya ang nagapanguna sa pagpanubag. Samtang si Sara Duterte, ang Rayna sa Korapsyon, nag-atubang sa impeachment, dili dapat malimtan nga ang korapsyon dili lang problema sa usa ka pamilya o paksyon,” he said.
BAYAN Central Visayas said corruption, environmental degradation, and government policies that favor big businesses and foreign interests worsen the impact of floods and other disasters.
The group argued that a genuine predictive disaster response should prevent hazards and reduce risks before calamities affect communities instead of relying mainly on relief operations.
“Ang tinuod nga predictive response mao ang pagpugong sa problema sa wala pa moabot ang kalamidad, dili ang paghulat nga malumos ang katawhan una molihok,” Paglinawan said.
BAYAN Central Visayas reiterated its call for a full investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects and demanded accountability from those it believes are responsible.
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