Isko Moreno bats for more disaster-resilient evacuation centers

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer, vows to continue to reach out to ordinary people, especially the underprivileged ones, and not make the result of a recent survey derail his plans for the country. (FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday said a government under his watch will build more disaster-resilient evacuation centers to accommodate displaced individuals in times of calamity.

In a radio interview, Moreno also said that if he emerges victorious in next year’s elections, there will be long-term planning when it comes to preparing for natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes so that the people affected by such calamities will immediately receive government help.

“Yung bagyo, bahagi na ng buhay natin dahil sa lugar ng ating bansa sa mundo. ‘Yung lindol magiging bahagi din ng buhay natin dahil nandun tayo sa linyada eh, kumbaga (Pacific rim of fire), ‘yung bulkan, oo. Marami rin tayong bulkan. So, maigi na magkaroon talaga ng pagpaplano na magtatag ng mga gusali na doon lang nakalaan,” Moreno told radio station RMN-DXBC Butuan.

Moreno made the statement when asked what he intends to do to mitigate the effects of natural calamities to the country and its people following the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette in many provinces located in the Visayas and Mindanao two weeks ago.

“Maari siyang pag tiningnan mo, in a good day, hindi nagagamit pero pagka may aberya, wala namang parang basing sisiw na mga kababayan natin. Durog na nga ang bahay, wala pa silang mapupuntahan. May mapupuntahan man sila eh patung-patong sila,” Moreno said referring to evacuations centers destroyed by Typhoon Odette.

As per the latest reports coming from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the total reported number of deaths has reached 397 with 1,147 injured and 83 missing. The NDRRMC said of the total number of reported deaths, 334 are still undergoing validation while the 1,073 injured and 71 missing cases are still being validated by disaster officials.

Meanwhile, the number of families affected by the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year has already reached 1,082,910 or 4,235,400 individuals. Damage to agriculture is pegged at P5, 342,538,557.25 while damage to infrastructure has already reached P16, 715,334,982.11.

With Manila experiencing many fires particularly in informal settler communities, Moreno said he ordered the construction of buildings that serve as temporary resettlement sites for families affected by the blaze.

“Kasi samin naman madalas ang sunog. Dahil siksikan ang mga squatter area namin.  Kaya ang ginawa namin, nagtayo kami ng mga gusaling pansamantalang titirahan ng tao.  May banyo, may lutuan, may kwarto. Maayos sila, no?,” the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer said.

“Plus, I think it’s high time, katulad nung ginawa natin housing, in-city vertical housing.  Mga batong bahay.  Kasi kailangan talaga bato dahil yung sinasabi ko nga sayo, yung bagyo it’s always there.  Ilang bagyo ba tayo sa isang taon?  Beinte otso hanggang otsenta?  Gaano kalakas at saan laging tumatama?  Dahil hindi naman laging nagbabago kung saan malakas tumama eh,” Moreno explained.

In the same radio interview, the 47-year-old presidential bet said that if he becomes the next president of the country, he will prioritize the acquisition of the latest tools and equipment to better prepare ourselves in times of natural calamities.

“May historical facts naman. So, with those data, I think siguro by this time, at this age and with technology and available tools and equipment, it should be acquired by the government. It has to have a long-term plan. ‘Yung pwedeng puhunan ng gobyerno, kahit hindi siya nagagamit araw-araw pero sulit ‘yung gastos ng gobyerno dahil mararamdaman ng tao na sa oras ng kanyang kalugmukan, kasadlakan, merong gobyerno siyang masasandalan na immediate na tumutugon,” Moreno pointed out.

Moreno said prioritizing risk reduction will come a long way in also saving more lives during natural calamities.

“So ngayon kung nagkaroon ng breakdown, ng kuryente, ng tubig, at least ‘yung isang problema ng trahedya, ‘yung masisilungan, meron na sila. ‘Di susunod mo na lang pagkain, tubig at kung ano pang bagay. So, bawas agad ang problema mo. Eh kung responsive pa ang gobyerno, maagap, may forward-thinking ba. Tingin ko, hindi man maiiwasan ‘yung delubyo, hindi man natin maiiwasan ‘yung pagtama ng masasamang panahon, pero naiibsan natin ‘yung damdamin, hinaing, kakailangain nung tao,” he said.

The local chief executive said a government that is proactive can do many things especially for the betterment of the people that it intends to serve.

“Importante talaga yon, kailangan mabilis kumilos eh. Kaya hindi naman sa pagbubuhat ng bangko, hindi naman perpekto ang gobyerno ng Maynila, pero nung naging alkalde tayo, binilisan natin lahat ang kilos.  Lahat mabilis. Lahat ng factors or lahat ng mga kailangan tugunan, kailangan mabilis ang kilos kasi time is of the essence. We always value time,’ Moreno said.

/MUF