As the House of Representatives begins its probe on the
deadly “Ulysses” floods Tuesday, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco wants the
investigation to focus more on coming up with long-term solutions to prevent
devastating death tolls and economic costs of future typhoons.
Velasco said the purpose of the House probe is to establish
facts that could lead to corrective actions, and not to find fault.
“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.
“The aim here is to come up with solutions and legislation,
if needed, to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives and properties during
typhoons,” he added.
The country was hit by three successive typhoons—Quinta,
Rolly and Ulysses—from late October to early November this year.
Typhoon Ulysses brought with it extreme rainfall, causing
dam operators to release waters that flooded nearby areas.
The deadliest of this was the flooding in Cagayan province
where officials released water from Magat Dam as levels reached critical
levels.
Last week, Velasco—together with Majority Leader Ferdinand
Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano—filed House
Resolution No. 1348 calling for an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the
cause of massive flooding that submerged the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela
during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.
The resolution was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
and Food, chaired by Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga.
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. - House of Representatives of the Philippines
