Sotto seeks Senate probe into typhoon impacts, disaster mitigation
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Vicente Sotto III has filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation into the “root causes and devastating effects” of typhoons and monsoon rains in the Philippines, with the aim of strengthening disaster mitigation efforts.
In Proposed Senate Resolution No. 631 filed on Sept. 1, Sotto noted that while “flood control corruption was exposed and widely investigated” beginning August 2025, the country continued to experience weekly typhoons and monsoon rains in August 2026 that triggered widespread flooding, class and work suspensions, stranded commuters, business disruptions, and flooded homes.
According to Sotto, the situation warranted an assessment of the country’s disaster mitigation measures and the resilience of public infrastructure, particularly flood-control projects intended to protect communities from flooding.
The proposed Senate probe aims to identify measures to strengthen the government’s disaster mitigation efforts.
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Sotto’s resolution cited reports of around P5.1 billion in damage to public and private infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and other structures that were damaged or collapsed amid heavy rains.
Among the incidents cited by Sotto were the unfinished flood-control projects in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, which reportedly worsened the impact of flooding on local communities.
He also pointed to the collapse of portions of the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road and the Aquino and Agana bridges in Tarlac City on Aug. 29.
According to the resolution, the collapse of the Agana Bridge led to the fall of a vehicle carrying five people. Of the five, one was rescued, one was found in Dagupan, Pangasinan, and three remain missing.
Beyond infrastructure damage, Sotto also raised concern over the health consequences of flooding.
He cited Department of Health data showing 5,486 leptospirosis cases with 344 deaths following flooding caused by the habagat.
“While resilience is a noble trait of Filipinos, the government was entrusted by the people to deliver quality public service infrastructure and accountability must remain steadfast,” Sotto said in the resolution. /mcm
