CUENCA, Philippines – At around 11 am, 71-year-old Ramon* stepped out of his house to fetch water as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine’s (Trami) heavy rainfall pummeled Batangas and other Luzon provinces in October last year.
Without warning, he lost consciousness. Everything went black. When he opened his eyes, he was covered in thick mud, brought by a landslide. He and his 68-year-old wife were rescued by their eldest child. That day, his wife passed away.
Around midnight on October 25, rescuers began search and retrieval operations, recording five casualties, three injuries, and one person still missing, according to the Cuenca Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). Out of all the affected provinces, Batangas would record the highest number of deaths, at 59, from the storm. The cost of damage to infrastructure, property, and crops went up to P2.9 billion, according to the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
This was the highest casualty count in the province in recent years, followed by five deaths during the onset of Typhoon Carina in July 2024.
Six months after Kristine, some residents from the affected coastal areas of Barangay Don Juan are still recovering from the tragedy. With elections of local officials less than a month away, Cuenca town voters are eager to know the plans of their mayoral candidates, especially on disaster preparedness and environmental protection.
Rappler interviewed the Cuenca mayoral candidates about their environmental, industrial, and tourism plans for the municipality. The interview with mayoral bet Faye Endaya took place virtually on February 27. With candidate Alex Magpantay, the interview was in-person, on February 26. Third mayoral candidate Ervin Remo was interviewed virtually on April 14.
Plans for the environment
Endaya, a disaster management graduate, proposed a more thorough assessment of landslide-prone areas, planting trees endemic to Cuenca, and establishing an eco-tourism destination to benefit future generations. She plans to reopen Mount Maculot to hikers if elected. The mountain was closed for hiking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Income generated from tourism would be collected by the municipal government and distributed among the barangays surrounding the mountain.
Incumbent mayor Magpantay emphasized waste collection, sanitary inspections, and supports the use plastic pyrolysis to deal with plastic waste. Plastic pyrolysis is the process in which extreme heat is applied to plastic waste to convert it into gas or oil, that could then be used as energy sources. But the technology has been criticized, especially by environmental groups, who say it still produces greenhouse gases and toxic substances like dioxin. They call it a form of “greenwashing” because the process’ byproduct is still fossil fuel, an energy source that has driven global warming.
Mayor Magpantay said he would not allow Mount Maculot to reopen to the public until an environmental code is finalized. Magpantay also mentioned ongoing discussions with a Singaporean investor about building a cable car system at the mountain, supposedly without cutting any trees.
Meanwhile, Remo proposed to improve the town’s solid waste management and segregation. He supports reopening Mount Maculot, citing that local ordinances are already in place. He would require every hiker to plant a tree and pay an environmental fee to support the area’s sustainable development.
Tourism and industrial plans
Endaya would prioritize the development of the public market, transforming it into a one-stop shop for tourists. She plans to introduce itinerary-style packages to guide tourists around Cuenca, not only highlighting attractions but also supporting local businesses and transportation.
Magpantay, on the other hand, expressed his intention to collaborate with resort owners to legalize their operations, aiming to make Cuenca the next top resort destination in Batangas. He also plans the titling of the Cuenca public market and the establishment of the Cuenca Water District to address water supply issues.
When asked about his tourism and industrial plans, Remo declined to elaborate, saying he would reveal them during his final proclamation rally to prevent others from copying his plans and programs.
Expectations from Cuenca residents
Residents and environmental groups expect detailed, well-communicated plans from the mayoral candidates about disaster response and the management of environmental resources, in order to avoid a repeat of the Severe Tropical Storm Kristine tragedy.
Affected families in Barangay Don Juan are particularly eager to learn about the candidates’ plans about how communities in hazardous areas can be relocated without compromising their ability to earn a living.
The Cuenca municipal disaster response office stated that it needs continuous support from the local government: additional manpower and faster budget approvals to better serve residents during calamities.
Meanwhile, environmental groups of Cuenca Senior High School (CSHS) shared that the next administration must prioritize environmental protection.
“Ang aspeto ng kapaligiran na kailangang pagtuunan ng susunod na mamumuno sa bayan ng Cuenca ay ang ecoturism. Mahalaga ang patuloy na pangangalaga sa ating kapaligiran habang ito ay nakatutulong sa pamumuhay ng mamamayan at nape-preserve ang ating kultura at nakagisnan,” said Nerrisa Esguerra-Manila, proponent of Project Science–STEM Community Immersion and Engagement in Nurturing Curriculum and the Environment.
(The aspect of the environment that the next leader of the town of Cuenca should focus on is ecotourism. It is important to continue caring for our environment, as it contributes to the livelihood of the people while also preserving our culture and traditions.)
The Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) of CSHS would expect more engaging environmental activities for the youth. In a statement, they said, “We expect that there will be more activities, programs, and organizations aimed at educating the public about preserving the environment and encouraging the sharing of knowledge within the community.”
The 2025 Philippine midterm elections will take place on May 12, with voters given a chance to elect a new set of local officials and 12 senators. – Rappler.com
Nathaniel Magpantay is a Mover, or a Rappler civic engagement volunteer, from Cuenca, Batangas. He is an assistant professor at National University Lipa and a student of the Doctor of Communication program at the University of the Philippines-Open University (UPOU).