MANILA, Philippines – Umapela si Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. para sa full at independent investigation sa sanhi ng malawakang pagbaha sa probinsya na tumama sa kasagsagan ng Bagyong Tino.
Sa liham na may petsang Nobyembre 8, inilarawan ni Baricuatro kung paanong ang Cebu ay “battered beyond measure” by consecutive disasters — from the September 30 earthquake to the flash floods brought by Typhoon Tino, which left entire barangays submerged and families displaced.
“In the span of just weeks, Cebu has endured tragedy upon tragedy,” sinabi pa ni Baricuatro.
“Yet again, we lost lives. Entire barangays were inundated by torrents of floodwater. Homes were swallowed by mud, and mothers clutched their children as water rose with terrifying speed,” dagdag pa niya.
Bagamat pinuri niya ang katatagan ng mga Cebuano, iginiit ng gobernador na “even the strongest deserve protection and justice.”
Hindi rin dapat ituring lamang ang kalamidad bilang isang act of nature. Ito ay dapat manawagan ng “truth, accountability, and action.”
Pormal nang humiling si Baricuatro sa Malakanyang sa pagsasagawa ng full at independent investigation sa naturang trahedya, na tututok sa flood control systems, drainage networks, river easements, slope protection, at quarrying o iba pang mga aktibidad sa lupa na nakapagpalala ng kalamidad.
Humiling din ito ng agarang suporta para sa environmental protection, watershed rehabilitation, at pagpapabuti ng disaster-risk infrastructure. RNT/JGC
