I. Introduction: A Nation Paying the Price for Policy Inaction
The Philippines, a nation perpetually vulnerable to the wrath of tropical cyclones, is once again confronting the devastating aftermath of consecutive severe weather events, notably Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) and the subsequent Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong). The widespread destruction and tragic loss of life have reignited urgent calls from lawmakers to prioritize foundational policy reforms, chief among them the long-overdue National Land-Use (NLUA) Bill.
House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan issued a sharp critique, urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify the bill as urgent and sign it into law immediately. Libanan minced no words, stating that the nation is currently “paying the price for decades of policy inaction” regarding land-use planning and disaster risk management.
“The tragic loss of lives and the widespread devastation caused by Tino once again expose the severe gaps in our national land-use planning and disaster risk management,” Libanan asserted, framing the legislative failure as a matter of national survival in the face of escalating climate threats.
II. The Rationale for a National Land-Use Framework
The proposed legislation, specifically citing House Bill 2130 (authored by Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima), aims to establish the nation’s comprehensive master framework for the allocation, utilization, management, and development of all lands and natural resources.
According to Libanan, proper land-use planning is no longer a mere administrative consideration; it is “absolutely imperative for disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and environmental integrity.” The central objective of the NLUA is to mandate the cessation of construction and development in areas scientifically proven to be inherently dangerous.
The lawmaker emphasized the dire need to protect citizens from foreseeable dangers:
“We must put an end to building communities in inherently unsafe areas – those prone to riverine and urban flooding, landslides, and coastal storm surges. Proper land-use planning is a matter of survival in this era of brutal climate change.”
The bill seeks to provide local government units (LGUs) with clear, legally binding guidelines to prevent the kind of risky development—such as construction on mountain slopes or within vital water catchment areas—that exacerbates typhoon damage.
III. The Cebu Catastrophe: A Case Study in Flawed Planning
The recent experience of Cebu vividly illustrates the devastating consequences of poor land-use management. Still recovering from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in late September, the province was struck by what Governor Pamela Baricuatro described as “the worst flash flood caused by a typhoon in its history so far.”
Speaking on ANC, Governor Baricuatro recounted the terrifying speed of the deluge following Typhoon Tino: “In less than 10 minutes, the water rose dramatically.” This rapid inundation left residents with virtually no time to evacuate, forcing them onto their rooftops as their “only mode of survival.”
This rapid, catastrophic flood is a hallmark of flash floods, which, as Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. explained, occur when heavy rainfall causes a “rapid rise of water in a river channel or the extreme flow of water over normally dry land.” Deputy Administrator Marcelino Villafuerte II of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) clarified the mechanism: excessive rains fall on hills and mountains, then rush “down into flood plains and urban areas through rivers and streams.” Flash floods can develop less than six hours after heavy rain begins.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Carlos Primo David confirmed that Cebu’s massive inundation was a direct demonstration of how “impeding natural waterways” through uncontrolled development leads to massive property loss and human tragedy.
IV. Understanding the Compounding Hazards
The Philippines faces a trifecta of water-related hazards worsened by human activity: flash floods, riverine flooding, and coastal storm surges. The devastation is frequently compounded when these events converge.
Storm surges, as Solidum noted, are a distinct form of coastal flooding: “the rapid rise of seawater pushed onshore by strong winds due to storms.” While distinct from flash floods—which originate inland—Villafuerte explained that their simultaneous occurrence, particularly where they meet near the coast, “could even worsen the situation.”
A recent study published in the Tropical Cyclone Research and Review journal underlined the specific vulnerability of Philippine regions:
Central Luzon was identified as the most susceptible to flash floods, with a recurrence rate of 10 percent.
It is closely followed by the Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.
Scholars widely agree that the severity of these natural phenomena is significantly exacerbated by human-induced and artificial factors. These factors include construction practices like blasting and the construction of temporary dams, as well as broader issues such as poor land-use planning, deforestation, and improper waste management—the very issues the proposed NLUA seeks to correct.
V. The Human Toll and Relief Discrimination Allegations
The necessity of the NLUA is not just environmental; it is humanitarian. The impact of Typhoon Tino, followed by the immediate threat of Super Typhoon Uwan (which caused flash floods in Barangay Masarawag, Guinobatan, Albay), underscores the urgency of proactive planning.
Beyond the physical devastation, the tragedy has been marred by reports of alleged bureaucratic misconduct during the relief process. Senator Erwin Tulfo publicly called upon the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to launch an investigation into reports of discrimination in the distribution of relief aid to Typhoon Tino victims in Cebu. These disturbing complaints cite instances where residents were allegedly wrongly labeled in relief forms, potentially denying them necessary assistance.
The combination of preventable disaster through poor planning and alleged mismanagement during the recovery phase presents a double failure of governance that the country cannot afford to repeat.
VI. Conclusion: The Imperative for Presidential Action
The arguments put forth by House Minority Leader Libanan and the supporting evidence from the DENR and PAGASA consolidate the necessity of immediate legislative action. The National Land-Use Bill is viewed not as a political measure, but as a critical piece of infrastructure legislation essential for public safety and long-term climate resilience.
By certifying the bill as urgent, President Marcos Jr. would signal a clear commitment to break the cycle of disaster, rebuild resiliently, and prioritize the protection of vulnerable communities over unchecked development. The tragic lessons of Typhoons Tino and Uwan must finally compel the government to establish the foundational policy framework needed to save lives and resources in the era of escalating climate change.