Bicol clergy call for accountability

By Rhaydz Barcia

Legazpi City --- In the wake of extensive infrastructure damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Typhoon Pepito, Bicol bishops and clergy have issued a public call for accountability. The Diocese of Legazpi, led by Bishop Joel “Bong” Z. Baylon, released an open letter on November 24, 2024, the Solemnity of Christ the King, urging local and national leaders, including President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to address issues of corruption, substandard infrastructure, and environmental degradation in Albay.

The storms, which struck on October 22 and November 15, 2024, respectively, caused widespread flooding and damage. The Diocese’s statement, read during Sunday Masses, emphasized the need for urgent action, pointing out that the devastation was exacerbated by human negligence, such as substandard infrastructure, poor governance, and unregulated quarry operations.

A Call for Accountability

“We, the bishops and clergy of the Diocese of Legazpi, speak as one with our people, appealing for urgent action in the aftermath of Typhoons Kristine and Pepito,” the statement read.

“As pastors, we endured the floods and rains alongside our communities, opened our churches to shelter evacuees, and collaborated with public servants and volunteers to provide relief. We have also listened to our people as they reject superficial compliments about resilience, instead demanding accountability and better governance,” the Diocese declared.

While the storms brought unprecedented rainfall, their effects were worsened by “substandard infrastructures, misuse of public funds, uncontrolled quarry operations on the slopes of Mayon Volcano, and problematic road constructions,” the statement added.

The Four Appeals

The Diocese outlined four key measures for local and national authorities:

1. Comprehensive Environmental Study: Conduct an impartial study on the environmental and social impacts of quarrying and road construction, with findings made transparent to the public.

2. Strengthening Regulatory Oversight: Establish a competent Provincial Mining Regulatory Board to enforce accountability among quarry operators, monitor operations, and educate the public on associated risks.

3. Accountability for Substandard Projects: Investigate and prosecute developers responsible for poorly constructed public infrastructures, and address allegations of fake permits in quarrying operations.

4. Ensuring Community Benefits: Guarantee that income from quarry operations translates to improved social services, including proper taxation and transparent fund allocation.

Appeal for Broader Support

The Diocese also called on faith groups, civil society organizations, schools, business sectors, and volunteers to amplify their appeal. “We respectfully but urgently call for greater accountability in government, true resiliency for our people, and leadership free from branding or political agendas,” the statement urged.

A Warning from Pope Francis

The Diocese emphasized spiritual guidance by referencing Pope Francis’ Laudate Deum. “When human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies,” the statement said, quoting the Pope. They prayed for divine intervention to inspire leaders to act justly, reminding everyone of the Beatitude: “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).

Infrastructure Damage Report

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol reported initial infrastructure damages in Albay at P369 million due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which unleashed torrential rains on October 22, 2024. Total damages across bridges, flood control systems, dikes, roads, and other government facilities have reached P4.8 billion.

The provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur bore the brunt of the destruction, with massive infrastructure losses recorded. These disasters exposed numerous substandard government projects, referred to locally as “ampaw projects”—a term denoting poorly built or weak infrastructure.

These revelations have intensified calls from Albayanos for accountability from public officials, contractors, and government agencies responsible for implementing taxpayer-funded projects. The devastation has fueled public outrage and reinforced demands for structural reforms to prevent similar failures in the future.

A bridge in Barangay Masarawag Guinobatan town connecting in the communities of Camalig, Daraga and Legazpi where the major quarry operations owned by influential personalities in Albay are located swept totally by flood during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine last October 22, 2024. (Rhaydz Barcia)