Illegal logging blamed on Ruby floods in Samar

CEBU, Philippines - There have been concerns that the severe flash floods that submerged large parts of Eastern Samar could have been caused by deforestation.

At least nine people died with agricultural lands and infrastructure suffering severe damage, said government and local church officials.

Of the island's 24 towns, the worst affected were the capital city of Borongan, and the towns of San Julian, Sulat, Taft, Can-avid, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad and Maslog.

Thousands of people remained in evacuation centers, as of yesterday, while many upstream villages have yet to be reached by aid agencies.

Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez said the flooding caused the most deadly and damaging impact of typhoon Ruby as it made its first landfall in Dolores town, roughly 65 kilometers north of Borongan.

Among the nine confirmed casualties, as of press time, at least four were from Borongan's San Mateo village, all of whom drowned in floodwater. Nine more people were still missing after raging flood hit the upstream village of San Gabriel, also in Borongan.

"There was no storm surge but the problem is the people did not foresee the flood," Varquez said, adding that of the 20 parishes affected by the typhoon, Borongan was the "most devastated."

Varquez said the flooding occurred when heavy rains caused the three rivers surrounding the city-Sabang, Loom and Suribao-to overflow. The city had been hit by flooding before, but the recent one was incomparable, "with lots of landslides that blocked the roads," he said.

The bishop said the flooding would have not been that severe if not for the large-scale logging in Borongan that went on for more than a decade. "First, there was heavy rainfall and of course, the deforestation is partly related to the flooding also. Logging is always associated [with] flooding," he said.

Logging operations prior to the logging moratorium in 1989 was blamed for the rapid forest destruction and massive flooding of many towns in Eastern Samar. Church officials also blamed logging companies for the "great flood" in 1989 in Samar, which claimed 100 lives and damaged P100 million worth of property.

As of last Wednesday, several low-lying villages remained submerged in floodwater and mud. Severe flooding was also reported in some towns of Samar and Northern Samar.

In response to the crisis, relief operations have been mobilized by various groups and organizations. The diocese distributed an initial 1,000 sacks of rice to affected parishes, said Varquez.

The Borongan prelate clarified that road clearing was being undertaken especially in areas toward upstream barangays to pave the way for the diocese's relief operations. He also appealed for more aid to the victims, such as food, water, clothes and medical supplies.

Varquez earlier appealed to businessmen not to take advantage of the calamity situation by hiking prices of basic and essential commodities. He urged them not to think only of their "monetary gain" and to maintain the price movement at the normal range.

"Do not take advantage of others at this time of calamity. "You're not the only ones who have the right to live," Varquez said. "It is a great sin against God and against love of your suffering brothers and sisters to use these trying times for your personal economic advantage!" he added.  — from Roy Lagarde/CBCP News (FREEMAN)