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Senator Erwin Tulfo wants an investigation conducted into waterways being clogged by structures that contribute to the recurring and massive floodings in the country.
Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
He urged concerned government agencies to submit a full report on the unauthorized structures obstructing waterways and natural drainage systems across the country.
Tulfo made the call after his recent visit in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, which was devastated by recent typhoons and southwest monsoon, resulting in severe and massive flood in various towns and displacement of more than 6,000 individuals.
“I have received reports and personally witnessed—how waterways such as rivers, creeks, and canals have been diverted, piped over, or outright buried beneath roads and commercial properties. The consequences are already visible: urban flooding, and severe siltation of surrounding coastal and marine ecosystems,” Tulfo said in his Privilege Speech.
He highlighted: “This is not only a blatant violation of the environmental laws, it is also an affront to environmental integrity and a ticking time bomb for the safety and welfare of communities downstream.”
The neophyte senator then called for an investigation on the said massive and severe flood not only in Palawan but also other areas in the country, aimed at strengthening the existing relevant environmental laws and enforcement mechanisms.
“Despite the existing legal prohibitions, violations continue, and illegal structures remain permitted in these waterways,” Tulfo pointed out.
“No one—not even powerful individuals or businesses—can place private interest above public safety, ecological balance, and the rule of law," he added.
Tulfo likewise directed the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate and submit a full report on the unauthorized structures obstructing waterways and natural drainage systems in the province and entire region.
“If we allow this to continue, not only are we setting a dangerous precedent, but we are also failing in our constitutional duty to protect the environment and uphold the public interest over private gain,” Tulfo concluded.
