MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is set to probe the circumstances of the massive flooding that submerged the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela during the height of Typhoon Ulysses' onslaught.
In filing House Resolution No. 1384, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco together with Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader Joseph Paduano called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the rapid inflow of water into the reservoir, as well as any non-compliance with laws, rules or regulations that may have had a contributory effect to the swelling of Cagayan River.
“As the death toll continues to rise, and the extent of damage is slowly being revealed, there is an urgent need to examine the actions that were taken during, before and after the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses,” Velasco said in a statement sent to reporters.
The three House leaders in their resolution cited the “gravity and unprecedented nature of the situation, the geographic propensity of the country to natural calamities, and the need to prevent similar situations from occurring.”
READ: Philippines’ typhoon deaths rise as worst floods in 45 years hit north
According to the statement, House leadership also called on the lower chamber to look into the decision of the National Irrigation Administration to open the spillway gates of Magat Dam, and if such action was done in accordance with duly established guidelines and protocols.
"Given the circumstances and the predicted Category-4 strength of the typhoon, the House leaders said the forecast should have prompted concerned government agencies and local government units to take necessary preemptive action to mitigate possible adverse effects on local communities," the statement reads.
Earlier Monday, Vice President Leni Robredo in an interview aired over ANC's Headstart backed calls for a probe, saying an investigation would be "very necessary to prevent it from happening again."
"Which areas would be in danger of flooding if a certain gate was opened? Which areas would be in danger of flooding if 3 specific gates were opened?" she also said in Filipino.
As of this posting, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council records at least 69 casualties as a result of the typhoon and billions in agricultural and infrastructural losses.
Cagayan province, among the areas hardest-hit by Ulysses, has since declared a state of calamity. Many families remain in evacuation centers still seeking shelter and assistance.
— Franco Luna with reports from Xave Gregorio