One year after typhoon Tino: P11.1 billion needed to rebuild Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has estimated that around P11.1 billion is needed to rehabilitate and restore infrastructure and essential facilities damaged by Typhoon Tino one year ago.

The funding requirement covers damaged roads, bridges, slope protection structures, barangay health centers and schools, according to the provincial government.

Of the total, P5.1 billion has been identified for infrastructure rehabilitation, including P2.3 billion for roads, P737 million for slope protection and P1.9 billion for bridges and footbridges.

Another P137 million is needed to repair and rehabilitate barangay health centers, while school facilities account for an estimated P1 billion.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the provincial government is working to ensure that reconstruction projects will not merely restore damaged structures but also incorporate measures to make communities more resilient to future disasters.

He said Governor Pamela Baricuatro wants the province to use the lessons from Tino in reviewing its development plans, particularly those involving infrastructure and disaster mitigation.

"The sentiment of our governor is na dapat na tan-awon to make sure that all infra and other plans should really be climate-ready and climate-resilient," said Empaces.

Empaces said Baricuatro had issued Executive Order (EO) 75, directing provincial offices and local government units (LGUs) to undertake measures aimed at making Cebu better prepared for similar disasters.

The policy outlines three major areas of action: documenting experiences and lessons from Tino, reviewing hazard maps down to the barangay level, and identifying infrastructure and other investments that can withstand future disasters.

Under the directive, concerned provincial offices and LGUs are expected to develop hazard maps for their respective barangays. These will serve as references in identifying areas exposed to risks and determining appropriate interventions.

Empaces said hazard mapping would be particularly important in deciding where rehabilitation projects should be implemented, especially in communities identified as vulnerable to flooding and other hazards.

He stressed that reconstruction must take into account the risks faced by affected areas instead of simply restoring structures to their previous condition.

The governor’s directive, he added, is to ensure that infrastructure projects and development plans are guided by research and scientific data.

"Let's use data and research and science to really come up with a mitigation plan that is future-ready," Empaces said.

He said the provincial government also intends to revisit existing infrastructure proposals and studies, particularly those concerning flood mitigation, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Projects underway

Empaces said the provincial government is reviewing rehabilitation plans with local chief executives of areas heavily affected by Tino, particularly in Metro Cebu, as well as Balamban and Asturias.

Among the areas receiving attention is Compostela, where damage to bridges and roads disrupted access and mobility following the typhoon.

Empaces said a diversion road has already been established in the municipality, while the proposed reconstruction of a damaged bridge is being prepared for implementation in the coming months.

He said the bridge design is being reviewed to account for water flow and other engineering considerations, taking into account lessons from the flooding caused by Tino.

The provincial government has also secured P100 million in requested funding from the Office of the President for rehabilitation requirements related to Tino, the September 2025 earthquake and other calamities.

Empaces said the funding would be used for priority recovery interventions, with the provincial government expected to coordinate with the national government on the next steps.

He also explained that the release and implementation of infrastructure funds would still have to undergo government procurement procedures.

"Actually, I'm happy to say na paspas jud...pero with regards to our history of rehabilitation, paspas na kay ni," he shared.

The procurement process alone could take around 60 days, excluding the preparation of project programs, surveys and other preliminary requirements.

Once the necessary documents are completed, projects will be posted through the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) for bidding, followed by the required evaluation and post-qualification procedures.

Assistance beyond infrastructure

While infrastructure rehabilitation remains a major component of the recovery program, the provincial government has also provided assistance to families and communities affected by the typhoon.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the Capitol mobilized its resources and sought support from private organizations, donors and volunteers to facilitate the delivery of relief goods.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that P21.98 million worth of food and non-food assistance had been distributed to affected communities.

These included food packs, rice, drinking water, sleeping kits, clothing, hygiene supplies and solar lamps, as well as prepared meals for evacuees.

The provincial government also allocated P142.25 million in financial assistance for 14,238 families whose houses were damaged by the typhoon. Each qualified household received P10,000 in assistance across 28 LGUs.

Balamban recorded the highest number of beneficiaries, with 4,363 families, followed by Talisay City with 4,207 and Mandaue City with 1,133.

The Capitol also extended health assistance through the provision of medicines, water and sanitation supplies, nutrition commodities and vaccines, alongside mental health and psychosocial support services for affected residents.

Farmers and fisherfolk were likewise covered by the provincial government’s assistance program, with P10.6 million paid for insurance premiums.

As of Sept. 30, 32,831 farmers and 8,000 fishing bancas had secured insurance coverage.

Recovery still a long way

Despite the relief and rehabilitation interventions implemented over the past year, Empaces acknowledged that recovery remains an ongoing process, particularly in communities requiring major infrastructure reconstruction.

He said the provincial government is also preparing its 2027 budget, with rehabilitation and disaster preparedness considerations incorporated into planning across different sectors.

Infrastructure requirements in heavily affected areas, particularly Balamban and Compostela, remain among the priorities.

Empaces said the administration wants to ensure that the province’s recovery investments address not only the damage left by Tino but also the vulnerabilities that made communities susceptible to its impact. — /FPL (FREEMAN)