JUST AS TYPHOON Tino was ravaging the entire province of Cebu, at least seven local government officials were taking their pleasurable time in distant lands while their suffering constituents were pinning their hopes of quick action from their leaders.
Assuming their travel preceded the typhoon by at least two days, if they were sincere about public service, they would cut their vacation days and come home to help. But no, they opted to stay away so as not to drench their clothes and skins in muddy water and not see the extensive damage to lives and properties left by the storm. They were afraid to part with their incomes (legit or otherwise) in bringing relief goods and construction materials to those who lost their homes to the gushing floodwaters.
In short they were heartless and had no conscience, even after seeing the dire footage on their screens in hotels, resorts and other vacation spots.
53 LGUs DEVASTATED
The entire province of Cebu, consisting of 7 cities and 46 municipalities (totaling 53 local government units), was affected by Typhoon Tino early this month that brought widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, power outages, and evacuations across northern, central, and southern areas, leading to a provincial state of calamity declaration on November 5, 2025.
This status was confirmed by the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s Executive Order 68.
While impacts varied—such as heavier flooding in areas like Cebu City, Mandaue, Talisay, Liloan, and Compostela—the entire province was included due to extensive disruptions.
‘At least seven local chief executives (specifically mayors) from Cebu’s 5th District were reported to be on foreign travel—personal vacations in Europe—when Tino lashed last November 4 and the ensuing devastation … approved by Governor Baricuatro in September, prior to the storm’s approach, but the timing drew public criticism amid the province-wide state of calamity declaration on November 5.’
TRAVELING ABROAD?
At least seven local chief executives (specifically mayors) from Cebu’s 5th District were reported to be on foreign travel—personal vacations in Europe—when Tino lashed last November 4 and the ensuing devastation.
Their travel authorities were approved by Governor Baricuatro in September, prior to the storm’s approach, but the timing drew public criticism amid the province-wide state of calamity declaration on November 5.
These travel bugs include: Catmon’s Avis Ginoo-Monleon, San Francisco’s Alfredo Arquillano Jr., Tudela’s Greman Solante, Poro’s Edgar Rama, Pilar’s Manuel Santiago, Compostela’s Felijur Quino, and Liloan Mayor Aljew Fernando Frasco.
A similar travel authority was signed by the governor for Cebu 5th District provincial board member Andrei “Red” Duterte.
NO VISIBLE LEADERSHIP
The Freeman today (November 7) said residents of the affected town lamented the absence of visible leadership on the ground for the rescue and relief operations, as thousands remain displaced and awaiting assistance.
The Freeman got a document from the provincial LGU in early November showing that eight local officials filed for foreign travel authority (FTA) which the governor signed.
The governor granted the travel requests in September or before Cebu province was placed under a state of calamity, following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake and later hit by Typhoon Tino on Nov. 4.
DILG APPROVAL NEEDED
The latest memorandum circular of the Department of the Interior and Local Government under Jonvic Remulla on the use of FTA Online System Application– whether official or personal—must be approved by Remulla.
Specifically, Section 4.3 of the circular states that during periods of emergency or crisis, the approving authority for all foreign travel, official or unofficial, must be the SILG himself or his authorized representative.
This means that any mayor, governor, or local official who travels abroad while their locality is under a declared emergency — like a state of calamity– must first obtain clearance from the DILG secretary.
“SILG/USLG to approve and sign action documents, relative to request for travel authorities of the specified LG Officials and Employees under Item 3.3 upon recommendation of the Bureau of Local Government Supervision,” the memo reads.
The memorandum cites Executive Order No. 77, series of 2019, which mandates that the SILG approve all official foreign travels of local government personnel and also covers unofficial trips such as vacations, medical purposes, or family events. The Freeman tried to reach out to the mentioned mayors for comment, but failed.
OVERPOWERING STENCH
Baricuatro, said the officials filed their travel requests before the series of disasters in Cebu and that the decision to travel is the prerogative of the elected officials, they remain accountable to their constituents, especially in times of crisis. “You know, that could have been avoided… they are answerable to the people.”
Baricuatro emphasized that the provincial government had been proactive in preparing for the typhoon, coordinating with utilities and LGUs for massive evacuation and disaster response.
Cebu legal counsel, Restituto Arnaiz, clarified that the mayors filed their travel requests before the declaration of the state of calamity in the province.
Section 3.2 of the circular defines unofficial trips as those undertaken for personal or private purposes, such as vacations, medical reasons, or special occasions, the Freeman said.
Public outrage over their absence had been posted in social media.
The fifth District, which includes Catmon, Compostela, Liloan, and San Francisco, suffered the heaviest from the typhoon. As Sen. Bato de la Rosa described Compostela was wrapped by overpowering stench.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has reported over 125 fatalities across Cebu, with hundreds still missing or displaced.
P50-B INUTILE PROJECTS
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon submitted to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure a list of poorly-planned, limited and ill-advised dike and revetment construction projects in Cebu in previous years, that all failed to control runoff in Cebu’s rivers.
Residents returned to the debris of their homes left by Tino in communities along the Mananga River in Talisay City, Cebu.
Dizon said over P50 billion has been put into flood-control projects here. ““We will let the ICI investigate that. Whatever information they need about these projects, we will provide it to them.”
He stressed that effective flood control must include managing upstream flows before water surges into the major rivers in Cebu City, namely the Mananga and Butuanon rivers: “That’s what’s missing.”
Dizon said that the DPWH was set on planning out flood mitigation projects with technical experts from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the University of the Philippines and UP’s Project NOAH, not just in the Cebu region but also in other areas of the country with major river waterways.
Along with Project NOAH, and the LGUs, the DPwH will come up with a new system aimed at preventing a repeat of recent ineffective flood control projects that have drawn public criticism and investigations over alleged corruption. All proposals will now undergo scientific assessment and simulation before being implemented by Project NOAH, Dizon said.
PROBE DEFORESTATION, QUARRYING
Malacañang on Thursday ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to investigate motu proprio reports that deforestation and quarrying contributed to the massive flooding in areas devastated by Typhoon Tino.
President Marcos wants to determine the root causes of the flooding in the affected areas, particularly in Cebu, said the palace spokesperson, Claire Castro.
Gabriela Women’s party Rep. Sarah Elago called for an urgent and independent investigation into the flooding disaster in Cebu, citing reports that upland flooding and mudslides may be linked to forest destruction and landuse conversion while questions are raised about billions of pesos in failed flood control projects.
Cebu alone has recorded 414 flood control projects worth P26 billion, including 47 in Cebu City and 21 in Talisay City, yet the residents were not spared from flash floods and overflowing rivers.