“As taxpayers, we demand greater investment in infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather conditions, improvement of early warning systems, and promotion of sustainable urban planning,” said the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in a statement.
“This is no time for mediocre, amateurish and band aid solutions,” it added.
The MCCI, composed of more than 500 companies in Mandaue City, stressed that it was ready to work with the city and provincial governments to develop initiatives that enhance business continuity and disaster preparedness.
Cebu reels from Typhoon ‘Tino’
“This event underscores the importance of stronger collaboration between government and the private sector in building disaster-resilient communities,” it added.
Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity after heavy rains brought by Typhoon “Tino” triggered massive floods across Metro Cebu, leaving at least 100 people dead and displacing more than 137,000 residents in 37 localities.
Among the areas hardest hit was Mandaue City, an industrial hub in Central Visayas that hosts about 10,000 industrial and commercial locators.
Based on the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office’s (PDRRMC) Nov. 5 report, 11 people were reported dead and one remained missing in Mandaue.
Floods affected 14 out of 27 villages in Mandaue, sending at least 4,036 families or 19,294 individuals to 50 evacuation centers.
The MCCI said the typhoon hit Cebu while it was still rebuilding from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sept. 30, 2025.
Business disruption
Tino’s impact was expected to disrupt business operations, supply chains, and community activities, particularly in areas affected by flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage.
In the short term, MCCI said it expected logistical delays and temporary slowdown in productivity, especially among micro and small enterprises.
“While we are still in the process of gathering reports from our member companies, initial feedback suggests that most damage is related to property, inventory losses, and downtime due to infrastructure and power concerns. Mandaue’s manufacturing and warehousing sectors experienced temporary operational halts,” the chamber said.
There may be a brief period of adjustment as companies repair damage and normalize operations.
The MCCI, however, said this tragedy “has angered and shaken our collective consciousness” and stressed the need for collaboration between the government and private sector to strengthen disaster resilience.
Cebu’s resilience, adaptability
It remained confident in Cebu’s capacity to recover as businesses have always demonstrated resilience, adaptability and compassion.
“We are proud of how quickly our members and partner organizations have come together to provide relief and assistance where needed,” it said.
The MCCI said it would continue to serve as a bridge for cooperation and solidarity, ensuring that no business, big or small, would be left behind.
“In these trying times, we are reminded that our greatest strength lies not just in our enterprises, but in our shared humanity. Together, we will rebuild, recover, and rise again as one Cebuano community,” the MCCI said.
Cebu gov demands justice
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro demands accountability from officials and contractors involved in the more than P26 billion worth of flood control projects that failed and caused what she described as the “deadliest flooding in years.”
She said she would raise the matter directly to President Marcos Jr. who was expected to visit Cebu on Nov. 7, 2025 to inspect the damage caused by Tino and provide financial support.
“We will discuss with President Marcos the P26 billion (flood control) funds. It’s not enough that Cebuanos are resilient. Justice has to be also looked into,” she said.
Probe into P26-B projects
Data from the Sumbong sa Pangulo website showed that 414 flood control projects worth P26.7 billion were implemented across Cebu from 2022 to 2025.
Despite these projects, the province suffered massive flooding in southern, western, and northern towns in Cebu following heavy rains dumped by Tino, said the governor.
Baricuatro said her office had submitted documents about the projects to the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7).
The NBI will forward these materials, along with its findings, to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), created by President Marcos to probe corruption in flood control projects over the past decade.
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