'Uwan', 'Tino' devastation blamed on corruption, greed

Combined death toll rises to 250-NDRRMC

- BY HANNAH L. TORREGOZA and MARTIN SADONGDONG

Senator Paolo "Bam" Aquino IV on Tuesday, Nov. 11, said corruption and greed are the main reasons there were hundreds of casualties during the onslaught of Typhoons "Tino" and "Uwan".

"Those behind the anomalous and botched flood control projects must be held accountable. The blood of those who died in this disaster is on their hands because of their corruption and greed," Aquino said following reports of massive destruction left by both typhoons in various parts of the country. At least 250 reportedly perished in the twin typhoons.

He cited the reported billions of pesos allotted for flood control projects in Cebu province that failed to protect residents from severe flooding, raising suspicions of substandard construction and misuse of funds.

"Corruption and greed are deadly. They are to blame for the loss of so many lives, destruction of property, and loss of livelihood of many of our countrymen," Aquino said. "If these projects had been done properly, they would have certainly provided the right protection to our countrymen in Cebu. But it seems that the welfare of the people has been set aside for the personal interests of a few corrupt people in the government," he stressed.

Unchecked greed

Unchecked greed, he also said, led to the destruction of forest areas that could have served as natural protection against floods.