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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Jaro archbishop: Citizenry must also take blame for flood control mess

Jaro archbishop: Citizenry must also take blame for flood control mess

Published Sep 14, 2025 04:44 pm
BILLONES (Tara Yap)
BILLONES (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY – Archbishop Midyphil “Dodong” Billones of the Archdiocese of Jaro said the citizenry must also be humble and take part of the blame for the country’s flood control mess.
“We humbly take our own share of the blame as we demand accountability from those around us,” said Billones in a circular letter released publicly on Sunday, Sept. 14.
“With bold honesty, perhaps we can admit as one civil servant said, that normalizing corruption has already flooded and ravaged our nation. Worse floods that come our way stem from this collective distortion,” Billones said.
The prelate released his own letter that addressed the clergy and lay faithful in Iloilo City, the towns in Iloilo province and Guimaras province following the Sept. 8 circular letter of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Billones noted that flooding is not only correlated to the weather, but the corruption ingrained in Filipino society.
“When we allow corruption to become repeated, when we become immune to its shock, when it is accepted as normal in the system of doing things, then it becomes endemic internally in man and externally in society,” Billones said.
Billones appealed for reflection and action while leaning on to faith with the Lord.
“He will help us ride the waves and rise from the tumultuous waters through righteousness, honesty, and accountability,” Billones added.

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Flood control Archbishop Midyphil Billones Archdiocese of Jaro
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