Residents of Barangay Bacayan in Cebu City woke up to unprecedented devastation as Typhoon Tino unleashed catastrophic flooding throughout Central Visayas. For the first time in nearly five decades, floodwaters completely submerged the community bridge, marking a historic and tragic milestone for the area.
Unprecedented Flood Levels
The Butuanon River reached record-breaking levels that shocked longtime residents. For the first time since its construction approximately fifty years ago, the barangay bridge was completely underwater. The flooding proved far more severe than previous incidents, even predating the establishment of local subdivisions.
The human cost has been devastating, with more than ten lives lost, including several children. The tragedy extended beyond Cebu City to multiple municipalities situated along the Butuanon River's path, affecting Mandaue City, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Danao City, and Talisay.
Widespread Infrastructure Damage
The flooding caused significant damage to critical infrastructure throughout the region. SM Consolacion experienced severe flooding, while concrete barriers along the Consolacion highway were completely washed away by the powerful waters.
What made Typhoon Tino particularly destructive wasn't wind damage but the overwhelming volume of rainfall. Communities faced extensive property damage that left residents reeling from the scale of destruction.
Growing Public Anger and Environmental Concerns
Public frustration is mounting over the perceived failure of flood control projects to protect communities during Typhoon Tino. Many residents question why these infrastructure projects failed to prevent the massive loss of life and property.
However, the problem appears to stem from deeper environmental issues rather than flood control alone. Environmental degradation through quarrying operations, subdivision development, and construction in protected areas has significantly altered the natural landscape over many years.
The disappearance of forests and their replacement with residential structures, including large mansion-style homes in protected landscapes across Cebu City and Balamban, has compromised natural drainage systems. This gradual environmental damage accumulated over decades rather than occurring in a single night.
Many are now questioning why government agencies, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), failed to protect vulnerable areas despite their mandate. While local officials face public criticism, the environmental problems began long before their administrations.
