FAITH AND RELIGION
Church leaders, clergy call for accountability amid substandard infra in Bicol
Bishop Joel ‘Bong’ Baylon. (Photo from Politiko Bicol MIMAROPA)
11/26/24, 7:48 AM
By Tracy Cabrera
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Amidst numerous major infrastructure projects in Albay that easily crumpled during the onslaught of super typhoon Kristine, Church leaders and the clergy are seeking accountability as they appealed to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., the provincial governor, lawmakers, local government executives and other officials of the national government to take measures that would ensure the durability of future projects.
The Diocese of Legazpi led by Bishop Joel ‘Bong’ Baylon issued the urgent call for accountability and action in an open letter that highlighted the devastating impact of severe tropical storms Kristine and Pepito, which struck Albay and caused widespread flooding and damage while aggravating existing vulnerabilities in the province.
“We the Bishops and clergy of the Diocese of Legazpi, speak as one with our people in appealing for urgent action in the aftermath of typhoons Kristine and Pepito, which hit Albay province and other areas on October 22 and November 15, 2024, respectively,” they said.
“As pastors, we have endured the floods and rains alongside our communities, opened our churches to evacuees and continue to collaborate with public servants and private volunteers to provide relief to those most affected by these disasters. We have also listened to our people as they reject trite compliments about our resiliency and instead demand accountability and better governance,” they added.
While Baylon acknowledged that the recent calamities were both natural and man-made, he pointed out that the disastrous effects of the weather disturbances were exacerbated by seemingly substandard infrastructures, misuse of public funds and the dire consequences of uncontrolled quarry operations on the slopes of Mayon Volcano and other areas, as well as problematic road constructions throughout Albay province.
"Notably, alleged flood control projects amounting to billions have failed to mitigate such disasters. As always, the poorest and most vulnerable among us bear the brunt of these calamities," they further said.
Based on the report of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol, initial infrastructure damage in Albay reached ₱369 million after the onslaught of Kristine but extensive damage to bridges, flood control projects, dikes, roads and other government facilities have raised it to over ₱4.8 billion.