Malacañang on Thursday urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate whether the unprecedented flooding in various areas during the onslaught of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) was caused by environmental degradation.
The statement followed reports that the submergence of several areas, particularly in Cebu, during the typhoon was attributed to alleged deforestation, quarrying, and unregulated development in the region. ‘With that kind of situation, the President doesn’t need to order this because they [DENR] know what the President wants and what the President’s directives are in these kinds of disasters,’ Casto said, noting that there had been no direct order yet from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the DENR to conduct a probe.
She also said, ‘If that is what is being observed-the alleged environmental degradation-then the DENR leadership should indeed look into what is happening and determine whether it is not merely due to natural calamities, not just an act of God, but also involves human negligence and abuse of our natural resources or environment. So, there really will be an investigation into this matter.’
Data from Global Forest Watch in 2024 revealed that Cebu province, including Cebu City, lost around 10,100 hectares of tree cover-equivalent to 100 square kilometers, roughly the total land area of Bantayan Island.
Meanwhile, just last month, Gov. Pamela Baricuatro directed the Cebu Provincial Government’s legal officers to look into reports of alleged environmental violations in the province, particularly related to quarrying.
The directive was prompted by a dialogue with a group of protesters who held a rally in front of the Capitol Building on Escario Street, urging the provincial government to address the region’s environmental issues. /mr