A dark, rainy and somber Manila greeted the disembarking passengers from Cebu at Terminal 2 in Manila early morning seven days ago. “It has been raining for two straight weeks,” blurted the cab driver.
The slow-moving typhoon Gener had left the country, yet rains kept pounding the streets in one of the most heavily populated megalopolis in the world. Thankful I brought my umbrella, I thought I was prepared. I was never so wrong.
No one expected the horrendous torrential rains that never seemed to stop, beginning late Monday afternoon until Thursday. Everything was at a standstill, with media, social networking sites, the weather bureau and noah.dost.gov.ph providing citizens with updates of the continuing disaster brought about by the southwest monsoon winds.
It was good that a semblance of a survival kit like stocks of crackers, canned goods, noodles and candles were in the cupboard. The nagging thought that floods would engulf the place at a moment’s notice made sleep elusive. But we were thankful we were safe and dry. Others were not so privileged.
The monsoon flooding was one unforgettable traumatic experience, especially for those who lost members of the family or whose houses were swept away by the monsoon floods, or got stuck at Edsa overnight as vehicles could not move due to the raging waters, and for those still crammed in some hastily-prepared evacuation sites.
The calamity also highlighted the heroism of the rescuers from the police, military and the fire department and countless Filipinos who risked their lives to save others and helped in the relief operations.
According to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, the hardest-hit were “the depressed areas where informal settler families (ISFs) live in so-called danger zones or along rivers and other waterways that are prone to overflow as a result of heavy rains”. It is sad to note that there were still residents who refused to vacate their places and leave their belongings until the last minute when it was already dangerous to bail them out. A massive information campaign for people to understand and be prepared for contingencies is badly needed. While we cannot stop disasters, we can certainly prepare for it.
The key word is preparedness. It is defined by RA 10121 as “pre-disaster actions and measures being undertaken within the context of disaster risk reduction and management and are based on sound risk analysis as well as pre-disaster activities to avert or minimize loss of life and property such as, but not limited to, community organizing, training, planning, equipping, stockpiling, hazard mapping, insuring of assets, and public information and education initiatives. This also includes the development/enhancement of an overall preparedness strategy, policy, institutional structure, warning and forecasting capabilities, and plans that define measures geared to help at-risk communities safeguard their lives and assets by being alert to hazards and taking appropriate action in the face of an imminent threat or an actual disaster.”
Safety and pro-active measures cannot be done without mobilization of the populace for their involvement in the planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) programs before disaster occurs. This is a herculean task that barangays are mandated to do, with the participation of civil society and of course, the private sector and the supervising local government units.
I agree with DILG Secretary Robredo that there has been a marked improvement in government’s response to disasters. Better and up-to-date forecasting, warning alerts, more equipment and better coordination among agencies were visible. But there is certainly an urgent necessity for mainstreaming DRRM in both government and citizens’ day-to-day choices and long-term comprehensive land use planning.
Zero-death in disasters should be the goal, as it has been in Albay which is the country’s DRRM leader. As part of its DRRM and climate change response program, Albay province under Gov. Joey Salceda constructed permanent multi-hazard evacuation centers that may be used as class rooms under normal conditions. He has successfully tapped the Spanish government’s benevolence in constructing “two-story type evacuation center edifice which can house 250 families or 1,250 people.” Recently, “Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) provided a 739-million yen or P398-million grant for the construction of the multi-hazard permanent evacuation centers in six towns of the province.” (https://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=771344474744)
It has to be emphasized that local government units have the primary responsibility in delivering DRRM as a service. RA 10121, the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010, requires:
Provincial, City, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) to be activated.
Existing Barangay Development Councils (BDCs) to serve as the barangay DRRMCs. This is the most important but the weakest point as BDC’s are largely not functional. DILG and local chief executives should hold accountable barangay heads who are remiss in BDC operationalization. Nongovernment organizations in the locality can help move the barangays into action.
LGUs to set aside 5 percent of their annual revenues for DRRM.
Disaster teams in puroks, as the San Francisco municipality has showcased, has certainly made inhabitants more conscious of their grave responsibility to protect people and Mother Earth. The practice is replicable, participatory and sustainable and instills a sense of ownership and pride among the residents.
For those needing assistance in initiating DRRM programs, DILG published the Compendium of Disaster Preparedness and Response Protocols for LGUs and all stakeholders in its wesbite. Download it at https://www.dilg.gov.ph/ PDF_File/ resources/DILG-Resources-2012611-823b814b1a.pdf. The step-by-step guidelines are clear and if followed, will help save precious lives including our own.
Secretary Robredo’s words should be remembered: “Disaster-preparedness should not be just a slogan; it should be a way of life for all LGUs and their constituents. Saving lives is more important than losing valuables and other properties.”
Investment in DRRM is indeed the smartest way to go. Hope the traditional politicos listen – finally.