AID ON THE WAY. Family food packs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development are being unloaded from a US C-130 aircraft at the Davao International Airport on Monday (Feb. 12, 2024). Two US Marine Corps aircraft have transported a total of 4,800 family food packs for landslide-hit residents in the province of Davao de Oro. (Photo courtesy of AFP)
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has announced two United States Marine Corps (USMC) KC-130J "Hercules" cargo planes delivered 4,800 family food packs to Davao de Oro for distribution to landslide-affected communities.
AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement Monday night, said the relief packs were from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
"The goods were delivered in two sorties each and will be vital in providing aid to residents affected by recent flooding and landslides in the Davao and Caraga regions," he added.
Trinidad said 12 sorties are planned for the two US Marine Corps aircraft with the goal of delivering up to 15,000 family food packs by Wednesday.
"The joint effort highlights the shared commitment of the two countries to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as also emphasized in the recently concluded US-Philippine maritime cooperative activity (which took last February 9 to 10 in the West Philippine Sea)" he added.
House probe
At least five members of the House of Representatives, including Davao de Oro 2nd District Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, have pushed for a congressional inquiry into the deadly landslide.
Aside from Gonzaga, House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo and his fellow ACT-CIS Party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo as well as Benguet Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo asked an appropriate House panel to conduct an inquiry under House Resolution No. (HRN) 1586.
According to the Management of the Dead and the Missing (MDM) Cluster, rescuers have so far retrieved 55 bodies while 35 people were injured and dozens are still missing as of Monday night.
Erwin Tulfo said the tragedy could have been avoided if the “no build zone” had been properly implemented.
“Somebody has to take responsibility for this tragedy,” he added.
Tulfo also urged the House of Representatives to review the existing laws regulated by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Despite the implementation of the “no build zone” policy, numerous residential structures and establishments were erected within the prohibited area, contributing to the heightened risk and severity of the landslide incident,” he said after filing the HRN 1586 on Monday.
“It is imperative to investigate the circumstances surrounding the landslide, including the factors that led to the violation of the “no build zone” policy and the enforcement mechanisms employed by the relevant authorities,” he added.
Based on records, devastating landslides have also hit Davao de Oro province in the past, including those that occurred at the gold-rush village of Napnapan in 2012 and 2015, and in the village of Diwalwal from 2005 to 2007.
The MGB, they said, plays a crucial role in overseeing mining activities, geological hazard assessments, and land use planning to ensure the safety and welfare of communities residing in geologically sensitive areas.
“A comprehensive review of existing laws and regulations enforced by the MGB is necessary to identify gaps, deficiencies, and opportunities for enhancement to prevent similar tragedies in the future,” the SRN read.
“How many more lives must perish before our local leaders and government agencies realize that life is more valuable than income for the family or community or even for the state,” Tulfo said. (with a report from Zaldy De Layola/PNA)
