Cebu City is set to acquire new rescue boats after the devastating floods triggered by Typhoon Tino on November 4, 2025, exposed critical weaknesses in its disaster response system.
City Council's Emergency Response
The Cebu City Council, led by Acting Vice Mayor Winston Pepito, has passed a resolution formally requesting Mayor Nestor Archival to purchase inflatable rescue boats and specialized flood-response vessels. This decisive action comes as a direct response to the widespread flooding that paralyzed many low-lying and riverside communities during the typhoon.
The council declared Cebu City under a State of Calamity on November 4, 2025, following an official recommendation from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC). This declaration highlighted the severity of the situation, which included major damage to component cities and municipalities, as well as disruptions to power, water supply, and communication lines across the Visayas region.
Gaps in Disaster Preparedness Exposed
Typhoon Tino's sudden and intense rainfall revealed a significant lack of essential equipment. Numerous flood-prone barangays were left without access to rescue boats when the waters rapidly rose, leaving many families trapped in their homes or isolated in elevated areas surrounded by floodwaters.
The newly approved resolution emphasizes that communities located near rivers, which are consistently at high risk of flooding, are in urgent need of proper equipment. The identified solution is the acquisition of inflatable rescue boats, which offer distinct advantages in such scenarios.
How the New Boats Will Improve Rescue Operations
These specialized vessels are capable of navigating through shallow and debris-filled waterways that are often inaccessible to larger, rigid-hull boats. This capability will allow disaster responders to reach families stranded inside their homes or in areas cut off by high flood levels much more effectively.
The move to bolster the city's rescue fleet marks a critical step towards enhancing Cebu City's resilience against future natural calamities and ensuring a more robust emergency response for its most vulnerable residents.
