Ulysses flooding probe aims to look for solutions, not find fault — Speaker

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — The House investigation into the massive floodings brought by Typhoon Ulysses—particularly in the Cagayan Valley—will not be about finding fault, but rather for finding corrective actions, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said Monday.

Velasco said the investigation, which is set on Tuesday, November 24, should focus on coming up with long-term solutions to prevent devastating death tolls and economic costs of future typhoons.

“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 in a statement.

“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.

To recall, Velasco, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano earlier filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the “severe and unprecedented” flooding in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela.

A similar bill was later filed by Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera.

“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.

Some local government officials are pointing their fingers at the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) decision to discharge water from the Magat Dam, which they said, contributed to the worst flooding they have experienced in four decades.

But Wilfredo Gloria, operations manager of the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System, has said that the NIA could not completely stop the release of water because that could result in a more massive destruction as the dam’s water level was at a critical point.

JPV