Gatchalian visits Cagayan, Isabela for Senate probe
Javier Joe Ismael 1 day ago
SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian conducted site inspections in Cagayan and Isabela provinces on Friday in preparation for a Senate investigation on the massive flooding that destroyed thousands of homes, infrastructure and agricultural crops.
Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate economic affairs committee, said he wanted to personally ascertain the damage left behind by 6-foot floods that until now have only gradually subsided in towns of Cagayan province and some parts of Isabela. The site inspection is ahead of the scheduled Senate inquiry.
“There may be a need to revisit the protocols being observed by those in the know in order to prevent this from happening again or at the very least, lessen the damage to property, infrastructure and agriculture,” he explained.
Gatchalian said flooding has been a recurring problem especially when dam gates are opened, adding he wants to know and plan how it could be prevented in the future.
The entire system, the release of water from the dam all the way to the catchment and river basin, should be studied very carefully not only in Cagayan but in other areas that were flooded at the height of Typhoon “Ulysses,” Gatchalian said.
“The public hearing will be on the release of water from dams. This happened during the passage of Typhoon ‘Ondoy’ in 2009. This should not be repeated as pieces of property are destroyed and lives are sacrificed,” he added.
Gatchalian has distributed 2,000 sacks of rice worth P4 million from the city government of Valenzuela for residents in Tuguegarao, Aparri, Enrile, Solana, Amulung in Cagayan, and Cabagan, Ilagan and Tumauini in Isabela.
The senator is joined by Valenzuela Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja and Councilor Rovin Feliciano.
The senator’s family has separately donated P1 million worth of sacks of rice to the Cagayan Provincial Government, Tuguegarao City, and the municipality of Aparri, the hometown of the Gatchalian matriarch.
They also gave face masks, face shields and slippers to ensure that everyone is protected from the novel coronavirus.
Officials from Cagayan and Isabela received the donations in a simple turnover ceremony and health protocols were observed.
