MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has intensified its probe into Cebu officials who traveled abroad during the height of Super Typhoon “Uwan,” as the provincial government confirmed it had already submitted all related travel documents for review.
Cebu Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the province had complied with the DILG’s order. “We have submitted already the request of the documents to the DILG upon their order,” he told reporters.
Records showed that nine Cebu officials — eight mayors and one Sangguniang Panlalawigan member — planned official trips to the United Kingdom in November. The travel papers were signed and approved by Governor Pamela Baricuatro in September.
However, the DILG later found discrepancies: four of the nine officials reportedly lacked foreign travel authority in the agency’s online system, while one canceled the trip altogether.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier directed the Cebu provincial government to turn over all travel records as part of the ongoing investigation. The directive stemmed from a standing order suspending all foreign travel by local elective and appointive officials from November 9 to 15, coinciding with the country’s preparations for the typhoon.
“Governors, mayors, barangay captains, and other local officials must lead on the ground,” Remulla reminded.
Super Typhoon Uwan made landfall in Dinalungan, Aurora on November 9, triggering floods, landslides, and storm surges across Luzon and the Visayas. The Office of Civil Defense reported at least six deaths before the storm exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Tuesday.
The DILG said the probe will determine whether any Cebu officials violated travel restrictions or neglected their disaster response duties while the province was under severe weather conditions./PN
