The aftermath of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) has tragically superseded a major transportation milestone in Cebu, prompting President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to re-route his upcoming visit from a celebration of progress to a solemn inspection of disaster.
President Marcos Jr. is now set to arrive in the devastated areas of Cebu this Friday, November 7, as confirmed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Wednesday, November 5.
The President’s New Priority: Getting Cebu ‘Back on its Feet’
The President’s visit was initially planned to lead the inauguration of the highly anticipated Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Cebu City. However, the catastrophic impact of Typhoon Tino, which brought torrential rains and massive flash floods that have already claimed the lives of 92 people so far, forced the postponement of the inauguration ceremony.
Secretary Dizon, who was in Cebu on Wednesday to personally assess the widespread damage, particularly across Metro Cebu, stressed the government’s immediate priority. “Importante muna we have to get Cebu back on its feet,” Dizon stated, underscoring the shift in focus from infrastructure development to emergency relief and rehabilitation.
The DPWH Secretary highlighted that the President’s personal commitment to the recovery efforts is absolute. “The President’s priority is really Cebu… That’s why we’re here (ahead)… He instructed us to be here,” he added, confirming that the visit on Friday is a direct instruction from the President to provide swift, high-level support and oversight to the Tino-hit province.
The tragic turn of events places the inauguration of the CBRT—a long-awaited project meant to ease the metro’s traffic woes—on hold as national attention and resources pivot to humanitarian assistance and recovery for the communities reeling from the typhoon’s deadly floods.
