Summary
Highlights
Typhoon Tino has caused widespread destruction in the Philippines, leading President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a state of calamity. The typhoon resulted in over a hundred deaths, with many residents having insufficient time to evacuate due to the rapid rise of floodwaters. The event is described as the worst since 1986.
Typhoon Tino, locally known as 'Tino', brought heavy rainfall to Cebu, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros, and Iloilo. In Leyte, residents like Maria Magdalena Morta and her family evacuated early, remembering past typhoons Yolanda and Odette, to avoid similar tragedies. Some people tied down their houses to prevent roofs from being blown away.
By 2:30 AM, Typhoon Tino's wind and rain intensified significantly. Authorities were on red alert, with police and local government units forcibly evacuating residents from coastal barangays due to the threat of storm surges. Long-standing flooding issues in areas like Tagmamarka were exacerbated by the typhoon.
On Monday night, Typhoon Tino's gusty winds and rain hit Javier, Leyte, cutting off power to Leyte and Southern Leyte. In Consolacion, Cebu, the typhoon's intensity was deeply felt, with strong winds and rain. The typhoon's center was located in Tudela, Cebu, with maximum winds of 150 km/h and gusts up to 205 km/h, leading to Signal Number 4 warnings across several Visayan regions.
In Cebu City, extensive flooding swept away and piled up cars in Villa del Rio Subdivision, Barangay Bacayan. Residents were trapped in their flooded homes, witnessing their vehicles submerged or floating. The flooding was attributed to the overflowing Butuanon River due to Typhoon Tino. Parts of Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu islands were quickly inundated, leading to impassable roads and calls for help.
The documentary shares harrowing personal accounts of survival and loss. One person recounted being pushed by logs, losing a child, and clinging to a falling tree. In Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, a 31-year-old woman was swept away by raging waters and died. Residents in affected areas like Villa del Rio Uno in Cebu City are left to clean thick mud from their homes and vehicles.
Cebu City was placed under a state of calamity, with Talisay City being one of the hardest-hit areas. Isla Verde in Barangay San Isidro saw numerous houses destroyed, leaving residents heartbroken over their lost homes. In Mandaue City, residents at a relocation site had to dig for water due to shortages, highlighting the desperation for basic necessities after the typhoon.
Residents in Sitio Komon, Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City, blame the low-lying riprap constructed in November 2024 for the severe flooding. In Barangay Cabadiangan, Compostela, Cebu, fallen trees and destroyed houses were common, with residents recounting clinging to trees for survival. The rushing waters were linked to a damaged road concreting project near the river. Questions arise about the effectiveness of 26 billion pesos worth of flood control projects in Cebu over the past three years, with allegations of ghost projects, substandard work, and corruption in the Duterte administration.
The President emphasizes the need to prevent such disasters from happening again and calls for accountability for those responsible for wasted funds and ineffective projects. The ICI is investigating questionable flood control projects in Cebu. The overwhelming message from typhoon-ravaged communities is a plea for help, particularly for drinking water, food, and clothing, as many were left with nothing. Government relief efforts are ongoing to aid the displaced and victims, acknowledging the heavy toll and numerous casualties.
The damage from Typhoon Tino is immense, with a high number of casualties. Residents express their profound sadness and the psychological impact of losing their homes and possessions, prioritizing the safety of their families over material belongings. Many are left with nothing, struggling to eat and worrying about their future, as they call for help to rebuild their lives and homes, having nowhere else to go.