“Good afternoon everyone!
You know, here in Zamboanga Peninsula, floods
are like uninvited guests. They don’t tell you they’re coming, but suddenly—
boom!—they’re already at your doorstep.
What makes it funnier is that we always hear about flood control projects.
Billions in budget, groundbreaking ceremonies, big tarpaulins with smiling
faces. But when the rain pours, the only thing that controls the flood… is your
neighbor’s sandbags.
Sometimes I joke with my team: ‘Maybe these are not flood control projects…
maybe they’re flood encouragement projects!’ Because right after
construction, water seems even more excited to visit the area.
But on a serious note, flooding is not just inconvenience—it’s disruption,
danger, and sometimes even tragedy. That’s why we’re here: to talk about
Critical Incident Management Operational Procedures (CIMOP) and how
the PNP should respond before, during, and after disasters.
Remember, if some flood control projects take years to finish, our CIMOP
response should never be delayed. Because when lives are at stake,
people don’t need promises, they need presence.”
Flooding and CIMOP: Linking Policy to Reality
Floods remain one of the most pressing natural disasters in the Zamboanga
Peninsula. In fact, despite billions spent on flood control projects, news
reports still highlight unfinished, substandard, or delayed projects that fail to
protect communities when heavy rains hit. For example, in 2023 and early
2024, residents of Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Sur complained
about “flood control projects” that either stalled mid-construction or were
washed out by the very floods they were supposed to prevent. This creates
a double burden: wasted government resources and unprotected
communities.
Under PNP Memorandum Circular 2024-050 (CIMOP, Revised), the role
of the police during disasters is not just law enforcement. It extends to pre-
disaster coordination, evacuation support, traffic management, and
relief distribution security. In short, when floodwaters rise, PNP is
expected to rise too — ensuring public safety while assisting LGUs and other
agencies in crisis response.
Actual Scenario: Flood in Zamboanga City
Imagine this: Heavy rains cause the riverbanks in Barangay Tumaga to
overflow. Roads are impassable, families are trapped on rooftops, and
tempers flare because relief goods can’t get through. At the same time,
people are angry because they know millions were allocated to “flood control”
projects nearby — yet here they are, still knee-deep in muddy water.
CIMOP in Action:
PNP sets up checkpoints not for law enforcement per se, but to divert
traffic so rescue vehicles and ambulances have clear passage.
PCADG personnel help with information dissemination using
megaphones and social media, warning residents of rising water.
PNP Maritime Group deploys rubber boats to help rescue elderly
residents.
PNP Internal Affairs monitors police conduct to ensure no abuse
happens during evacuation.
This shows how 5Ps + ICS framework applies: Proper planning,
preparedness, partnership with LGUs, public communication, and police
visibility prevent panic and restore order.
Engaging Jokes to Lighten the Topic
On unfinished flood projects:
“Parang pag-ibig lang yan minsan — may simula, may budget, pero
walang ending. Kaya tuloy, kami na lang ni Commander ang nag-
patrol sa baha.”
On disaster warnings:
“Alam n’yo, kapag may warning na ‘possible flooding,’ dapat makinig.
Huwag gaya ng kapitbahay ko — sabi ko ‘magtaas ka ng gamit mo,
baka abutin ng tubig.’ Ang sagot: ‘Ay hindi, matangkad bahay ko.’
Ayun, hindi bahay ang inabot, kundi ref niya, nag-floating na parang
banca.”
On coordination:
“Sa flood control projects, dapat well-coordinated ang DPWH, LGU,
at PNP. Kasi kung hindi, parang banda na walang conductor. Lahat
may tunog, pero sabog. Resulta? Concert sa baha!”
Takeaway Message
Floods will remain a recurring problem if infrastructure projects are left
incomplete or substandard. But through CIMOP, PNP can still mitigate the
human cost by ensuring order, safety, and reliable crisis communication. At
the end of the day, preparedness is not just about concrete dikes — it’s about
concrete action.