MANILA (CBCP News): Catholic leaders in Albay province have called for accountability following the recent massive flooding, caused by several typhoons in succesion, which they say was exacerbated by quarry operations and “substandard” public infrastructure.
The Diocese of Legazpi issued an open appeal on November 23, urging the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and relevant agencies to take immediate action to address the root causes of the disaster.
“We appeal to our leaders… to take urgent and necessary action in this regard,” the letter said.
The appeal came as many residents continued to cope with the aftermath of a series of typhoons—six in the month of November alone—with numerous communities struggling to recover.
While acknowledging that heavy rainfall from the typhoons contributed to the flooding, the diocese emphasised that human-made factors—such as quarrying on the slopes of Mayon Volcano and other areas—along with poor infrastructure, intensified the damage.
Somebody has to be made responsible, because if nobody is responsible everybody suffers. Hopefully there will be some answers from their end
Bishop Joel Baylon
The diocese also criticised what it called ineffective flood control projects, pointing to billions of pesos in government spending on infrastructure that failed to mitigate the impact of the storms.
“As pastors, we have endured the flooding and rains alongside our communities; opened our churches to shelter evacuees; and continue to collaborate with public servants and private volunteers to provide relief to those most affected by these disasters,” the diocese said.
“We have also listened to our people as they reject trite compliments about our resiliency and instead demand accountability and better governance,” they added.
On November 25, Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi, lamented how some pursue “hunger for power and money” at the expense of people’s lives and the environment. “Let us regulate our greed because it is greed that is running the show,” the bishop said in a press conference.
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Bishop Baylon’s remarks came as the province continues to recover from severe flooding that displaced thousands of families.
“Somebody has to be made responsible, because if nobody is responsible everybody suffers. Hopefully there will be some answers from their end,” the bishop said, calling for accountability from government officials.
“Hopefully we can have a bigger, massive movement of Albayanons saying ‘enough,’ There are other ways to solve our difficulties if we work together. And the government should be on our side,” ” he said.
“So, let us hope together. But hope is also something that we do together. Let us walk together and make our hope realized, always with the help of God,” Bishop Baylon added.
In October, severe tropical storm Trami [Kristine] brought heavy rain and widespread flooding to the Philippines, including the Bicol region.
On November 15, Super Typhoon Man-yi [Pepito] also battered the region, exacerbating the challenges faced by local communities.
