Protect us from further harm, Dear God!

We are all used to typhoons. Yolanda, then Odette reminded us about the might and strength of typhoons.

We expected and prepared for the strong, destructive winds. It was heartwarming to see how residents and local governments united to prepare well, adequately for Typhoon Tino.

However, we were not ready for Tino’s prolonged, unusually large amount of rain –Cebu City, even 24 hours before Tino’s landfall, already had 183 millimeters (seven inches) of rain, well over its 131-millimeter monthly average!

Too much rain, too much for rivers to hold and too strong for the substandard/ghost flood control projects to take.

Tino lashed out its destructive power along its path. Never has Cebu experienced such widespread damage all throughout the province.

Sadly, Tino did not spare Northern Cebu whose residents have not yet completely recovered from the devastating earthquakes!

Neither did Tino spare the marginalized who lost practically whatever little they had called their own!

We pray no further number will be added to the reported 76 and thousands displaced.

This was a very cruel typhoon, seemingly out on a rampage to remind all to turn to God and to realize and understand why there was so much damage,destruction, and loss!

Yes indeed. Tino pushed many of us to cry out to God, then and now:

“Take pity on me, God, take pity on me, for in you I take refuge, in the shadow of your wings I take refuge, until the destruction is past.” (Psalms 57:1).

These words from an environmentalist vs quarrying/mining wrote in his FB:

“Tino calls for a re-examination that Cebu is massively quarried.

Large-scale quarrying plus 6 non-metallic (cement/dolomite) processing plants operate here. And we wonder why the flooding?

1. Cebu is KARST. This geology type efficiently absorbs flood waters. In quarrying KARST mountains, where do you think the water flows?

2. Calcination of limestone in processing accounts to about 8% of GHG emissions, with more than 20% direct emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The demand for cement forecasts an increase of another 4% GHG by 2050. Such contribution to global warming should be addressed, additional projects should be effectively resisted.

“So, kung OK ka sa semento, kabalo na ka unsay mahitabo nimo kada naay bagyo.”

From Cebu Archbishop Abet: “WHEN WE HARM CREATION, WE HARM OURSELVES.”

The floods that have affected many parts of our province these past days remind us not only of the fragility of life but also of the sad state of our environment. The overflowing rivers, inundated streets are not just the result of heavy rain — they are also a reflection of what we have done, or failed to do, for our common home.

Mother Earth is crying. Her tears fall as floods upon our land.

What we see today is not only a natural phenomenon but also a moral reminder — that when we harm creation, we harm ourselves.

“… the wound of dishonesty makes the pain of these floods even deeper —

Such corruption is not only a civic failure (but) a grave moral offense against both God and humanity. These questionable “flood control projects” mock the cries of the poor who suffer most during disasters. They betray our call to stewardship, solidarity.

Still, even in this moment of distress, God speaks.

Through the wind, the waters, He calls us to repentance and renewal.

He invites us to rediscover our responsibility as stewards, not exploiters, of His creation — and as citizens who must demand honesty and accountability from those who serve the public.

Let these floods awaken in us a deeper ecological and moral conversion.

Let our compassion overflow more than the waters that surround us.

As we rebuild what has been damaged, may we also renew our hearts — with greater respect for life, greater care for creation, and greater commitment to honesty and solidarity.”