Ombudsman’s task force on flood control projects to focus on Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — Heeding the calls of the people, the Office of the Ombudsman’s special task force formed to oversee investigations into the anomalous flood control projects will prioritize areas affected by Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi), especially Cebu.

The ombudsman said it is one with the nation that mourns the fatalities and devastation caused by Tino.

Local and national officials, especially in Cebu, were called out over the massive flooding that killed 188 people across Visayas, and highlighted the failure of the multi-billion-peso flood control projects.

In particular, netizens recalled the hillside development project, The Rise at Monterezzas in Cebu City, of celebrity engineer Slater Young, who is now receiving backlash over the undertaking that people are pointing at as one of the main reasons for the massive flooding in Cebu.

“To the families of all victims of the calamity – we hear you, and we have acted,” the ombudsman said in a public statement.

“A special task force previously designated to investigate flood control projects has been instructed to prioritize those projects meant to prevent the onslaught of Typhoon Tino,” it pointed out. “Justice will be pursued with compassion, diligence, and resolve.” /apl