PBBM wants relocation in villages hit by storm surge in Catanduanes

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has directed local officials to plan the relocation of a seaside village in Catanduanes province to safer resettlement areas after large waves spawned by Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong) swept away the villagers’ houses.

During his inspection of Barangay Tubli in Caramoan town on Thursday (Nov. 13), Marcos said the government should relocate the villagers to a site that is safe from storm surges.

“Kailangan natin talagang pag-isipan na huwag magtayo ng kahit na anong structure sa ganito kalapit sa dagat,” he told the national and local officials who accompanied him in the inspection.

(We really need to think carefully about not constructing any structures so close to the sea.)

The President emphasized that building a high seawall in Tubli would not guarantee protection for the villagers against storm surges.

“Hindi maaaring lagyan ng mataas na seawall dahil ang tubig hanggang bubong (We cannot rely on a high seawall because the water can reach the roof level),” Marcos said.

When Uwan tore through Catanduanes on Nov. 9, Tubli was inundated by a massive wall of water from its bay, which destroyed 158 homes and scores of fishing boats.

All 3,119 residents were unharmed due to a preemptive evacuation organized by the government, according to Barangay Captain Maria Efe Palero.

“Unfortunately, ang katotohanan ay mangyayari ito ulit kaya huwag na natin sila ilagay sa alanganin. Hanapan na natin sila ng ibang paglalagyan na malayo na sa storm surges,” the President said.

(The truth is that this will happen again, so we should not put them in harm’s way. Let’s find them another location that is far from storm surges.)

An island facing the Pacific Ocean, Catanduanes has one of the longest coastlines in the country, measuring approximately 400 kilometers, according to data from the National Statistical Coordination Board.

The country experiences an average of 20 tropical cyclones each year, and Uwan was the 21st storm to strike the country this year.

Marcos expressed optimism that, with the cooperation of all stakeholders, a solid plan could be developed.

“Nandito ang national government, maganda naman ang ugnayan namin with the congressman, with the local government units up to the barangay level,” he noted.

(The national government is here, and our relationship with the congressman and local government units down to the barangay level is good.)

Among the officials accompanying the President during the inspection were Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Catanduanes Representative Eulogio Rodriguez, and Governor Patrick Alain Azanza. (Edna Bagadiong contributed to this report/PIA Bicol)