As the House of Representatives launches its inquiry into the massive flooding in various parts of Luzon, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco asked the Committee on Agriculture and Food to focus its probe into determining long-term solutions that would prevent deaths and huge economic cost of future typhoons.
In a press statement, Velasco stressed that the purpose of the House probe is to establish facts that could lead to corrective actions, and not to find fault.
Velasco, together with Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, filed House Resolution No. 1348 calling for a congressional inquiry into the cause of massive flooding at the height of typhoon Ulysses.
Huge areas of Cagayan and Isabela were submerged by floodwaters while dozens died and billions of pesos worth of agricultural crops and infrastructure were lost.
“We hope to hear everyone’s side and get a clearer picture of the events that transpired when Typhoon Ulysses struck and caused widespread flooding in Luzon,” Velasco said.
He added: “The aim here is to come up with solutions and legislation, if needed, to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives and properties during typhoons."
Ulysses swept through huge areas of Luzon only a few days after typhoons Quinta and Rolly.
However it was Ulysses that brought extreme rainfall resulting in the release of water from Magat Dam, which triggered the floods in Region II.
Quezon Repl. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, chairman of the agriculture and food panel, said he has invited the dam operators, as well as local government unit executives to the hearing.
The panel will begin its investigation on Tuesday as it invited officials of the National Irrigation Administration and the local governments of Cagayan and Isabela.
Velasco said the congressional hearing will focus on how to better address proper protocols and preparedness even before a natural disaster strikes.
“There will be more typhoons that will come our way, and we have to become better at preparations and in handling situations that call for sound judgement to prevent deaths and loss of properties from happening,” Velasco said.
Typhoon Ulysses claimed 73 lives and caused damage and losses to infrastructure and agriculture in Luzon worth around P10 billion, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.