The alarming speed of floodwaters during Typhoon Tino has exposed a critical gap in Cebu City's disaster readiness, revealing that many high-risk barangays lack immediate access to rescue boats.
City Council's Emergency Response
In response to this vulnerability, the Cebu City Council has taken decisive action. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the council approved a resolution authored by Acting Vice Mayor Winston Pepito. This resolution formally requests Mayor Nestor Archival to procure inflatable rescue boats and specialized flood-response vessels for deployment to communities near rivers and creeks.
The resolution emphasized that this equipment is essential for navigating the shallow and debris-filled waterways common during severe flooding, where standard vehicles and larger rescue units cannot operate effectively.
Addressing the Aftermath of Typhoon Tino
The push for better equipment comes as Cebu City continues to grapple with the aftermath of the powerful storm. Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi), which struck on November 4, 2025, dumped massive rainfall across the Visayas. This led to extreme flooding in Cebu, caused widespread damage in component cities and municipalities, and disrupted essential services like electricity, water, and communications.
The severity of the situation prompted the city to be placed under a state of calamity, following the recommendation of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC). Tragically, as of November 18, six residents remain missing, with search teams conducting daily retrieval operations in silted river channels.
A Preventive Measure for Future Safety
The proposed deployment of rescue boats directly to barangays is a strategic move to prevent the life-threatening delays witnessed during Tino's sudden onslaught. Acting Vice Mayor Winston Pepito underscored the urgency, stating that "to avoid casualties in times of disasters, it is essential that the people and the government are always ready."
He identified inflatable boats as among the most vital tools for survival during extreme flood scenarios, capable of reaching families trapped in their homes or on elevated areas within inundated communities. This initiative aims to build a more resilient and immediate response system for Cebu City's most flood-prone areas.
