SOME barangay leaders in Puerto Princesa City have expressed dissatisfaction with the local government’s response following the severe flooding that prompted a state of calamity declaration in February.
Concerns centered on the adequacy of financial aid, delays in assistance, and the slow progress of critical infrastructure projects.
In Barangay Bancao-Bancao, some barangay officials said the P3,000 cash assistance given by the city government was insufficient for families whose homes were completely submerged.
They suggested implementing a tiered assistance system, proposing at least P5,000 for those with total property loss.
The deployment of flood mitigation equipment only came after persistent follow-ups from the barangay, they added.
Meanwhile, in Barangay Tagburos, Barangay Captain Roberto Tero reported that out of 845 affected residents, only 600 received the P3,000 cash assistance.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) explained that the discrepancy arose because some residents were later validated as ineligible under aid guidelines, while others had relocated or were unreachable during distribution.
Tero also mentioned concerns regarding the city’s P86-million quick response fund but clarified he was not questioning the overall use of it and merely raising the need for clarity on fund allocation.
In Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Barangay Captain Jeramel Pulanco said assistance for 17 evacuated families was distributed promptly, with the cash aid considered sufficient for those whose homes suffered only minor damage.
In Barangay Tiniguiban, however, Barangay Captain David Pacañot noted that 28 households only received aid after more than three weeks.
He attributed the delay to bureaucratic processes and stressed the urgent need to upgrade drainage systems to prevent future flooding.
He added that the barangay is seeking support from non-government organizations to build a concrete bridge that would improve access during calamities.
Separately, the Commission on Audit had previously flagged delays in a P120-million flood control project in Barangay San Pedro, which by December 2023 was only 34.63 percent complete, despite over 80% of the funds having been released.
The recent flooding, triggered by heavy shear line-induced rains, affected more than 3,000 residents in Puerto Princesa and neighboring towns. Barangay officials are now calling for more equitable and timely disaster response measures, alongside a renewed focus on long-delayed infrastructure projects to better protect communities in future calamities.