Philippines Mourns as Typhoon ‘Tino’ Kills Over 100, Forces 400,000 to Flee

The death toll from Typhoon “Tino” has risen to over 100, while more than 400,000 people were evacuated after massive flooding submerged much of the Visayas region.

According to the Provincial Government of Cebu, 76 of the fatalities were from Cebu, while others came from Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and the Negros Island Region.

More than 26 people remain missing, most of them from highly urbanized cities that suffered severe flooding.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Charmagne Varilla said Typhoon “Tino” dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours over Southern Leyte and Cebu, causing flash floods and surging waters that swept away and destroyed homes, vehicles, and cargo.

This amount of rainfall, she said, exceeded the usual monthly average of 131 millimeters.

According to a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), around 706,000 individuals were affected by the typhoon, with nearly 348,000 still staying in evacuation centers.

Region 7, particularly Cebu, was reported to be the hardest hit by the typhoon. Clearing operations continue on 10 roads including four in Cebu that were closed due to debris.

Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro signed Executive Order No. 68, Series of 2025, officially placing the province under a state of calamity after authorities confirmed the extent of the damage to properties, the death toll, and the number of evacuees.

Under the declaration, provincial and local government offices are authorized to utilize their Quick Response Fund (QRF) and other resources for rescue, relief, recovery, and rehabilitation operations in accordance with existing auditing and accounting regulations.

A price freeze on basic goods was also ordered to prevent profiteering, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Local Price Coordination Council, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro revealed that all flood control projects in the province since 2019 were either “ghost” or substandard.

According to Baricuatro, more than ₱26 billion worth of flood control projects were allocated to Cebu, based on their inspection of flood mitigation works across the province.

The results of their investigation have reportedly been submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

“You begin to ask the question — why are we experiencing such severe flash floods here when we have ₱26.6 billion for flood control projects?” Baricuatro said.

The Provincial Government of Cebu discovered that some contractors had used the licenses of other construction firms to implement the flood control projects.

Cebu recorded the highest number of fatalities from Typhoon “Tino” due to the rapid and massive flash floods.

“It was by far the worst flash flood caused by a typhoon in the history of Cebu,” Baricuatro said. “In less than 10 minutes, the water rose dramatically.”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered an investigation into the flood control projects in Cebu after severe flooding devastated many areas, submerging houses, vehicles, and properties.

According to Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, the President wants to determine whether the ₱26 billion allocated for flood control projects was properly utilized, noting that the typhoon’s effects showed the projects seemed ineffective.

Malacañang data show that a total of 343 flood control projects were undertaken in Cebu from 2016 to 2022 across all districts, which now need to be reviewed to determine why widespread flooding still occurred. Castro said the President shared the anger of many Cebu residents and emphasized that those responsible for negligence must be held accountable.

“That’s the reason why the President is calling for an investigation — he saw the effects even though there was a budget for it, yet the projects did not seem to work,” Castro said.

Castro added that President Marcos Jr. is set to visit Cebu to personally assess the situation of the typhoon victims.