Are We Disaster Resilient?

Is Cebu on the path to disaster resiliency? Are existing infrastructures, its residents and its fragile ecosystems strong enough to cope with the increasing number of disasters that should be expected in the vastly changed and changing world we are in?

The answer is a crisp “No.” Just ask the hundreds, if not thousands of commuters last Saturday wearily wading through flooded streets, momentarily forgetting the dangers of leptospirosis or those prudently choosing to wait it out amid the horrendous traffic gridlock.

Except perhaps for the municipality of San Francisco, which is not only Cebu’s but the Philippine’s resiliency-building and disaster risk-reduction and management (DRRM) champion, where residents are ready with their grab bags, busy building typhoon shelters, implementing their own DRRM programs such as mangrove reforestation, composting and natural farming at the purok level. Many local government units (LGUs) and their stakeholders still have to move and plan their future together in responding effectively to climate change.

For a country which is one of the most heavily impacted like the Philippines, it is strange that despite the repetitive onslaught of heavy precipitation and flooding, landslides and stronger and more frequent typhoons, ever growing number of displaced refugees and tremendous socio-economic and ecological devastation from calamities, we still have to see that sense of urgency and the convergence of forces among various sectors to build the resiliency of the people and our life support systems.

We cannot overemphasize that we have the Constitution and a host of laws promoting sustainability and strengthening the capacity of stakeholders to respond, through the Climate Change Act, as amended, and the DRRM Law. But statutes are not magic wands that attain automatically the goals the moment the Chief Executive signs them into law. It takes knowledge, understanding, sincerity, determination and genuine love for the country, the people and the planet for the Law to become alive and meaningful and put into effect the declared public policies.

Avowed intentions notwithstanding, we do not respect laws that are meant to protect us, as they are also loosely implemented, if at all. Proof? Our land, air, waters and rivers are severely polluted, grossly exceeding international standards. There are no data regularly released to the public unless universities conduct their own study, like what the University of San Carlos did recently. Our governing bodies for air, water and solid waste management still have to come up with their respective action plans, decades after the laws’ enactment, if they are truly existing, that is.

What is it with us? Despite our extreme vulnerability, why are we so patient in tolerating the gross neglect of duties by accountable authorities? Why can we not exact the high standards of service that we deserve to have from government?

Nature indeed has a way of testing our readiness and our coping skills. Last Saturday and also Friday’s rains and the consequent flooding and evacuation of residents in certain areas proved that we have a lot of work ahead in instilling a mindset of resiliency and sustainability in each one of us.

We need to act together and prioritize DRRM now. If the inhabitants of San Francisco in Camotes Island, with their limited resources and technical knowhow but tons of indigenous knowledge, are showing us it can be done, by mobilizing the participation of the citizens, why can’t we?

Those living in cities, and there are more of them now than their counterpart in rural areas are the ones most exposed to hazards. The “significant risk drivers” include:

“Growing urban population and increased density, which put pressure on land and services, increasing settlements in coastal lowlands, along unstable slopes and in hazard-prone areas.”

“Concentration of resources and capacities at national level, with a lack of fiscal and human resources and capacities in local government including unclear mandates in disaster risk reduction and response.”

“Weak local governance and insufficient participation by local stakeholders in planning and urban management.”

“Inadequate water resource management, drainage systems and solid waste management, causing health emergencies, floods and landslides.”

“The decline of ecosystems, due to human activities such as road construction, pollution, wetland reclamation and unsustainable resource extraction, that threatens the ability to provide essential services such as flood regulation and protection.”

“Decaying infrastructure and unsafe building shocks, which may lead to collapsed structures.”

“Uncoordinated emergency services, which decreases the capacity for swift response and preparedness.”

“Adverse effects of climate change that will likely increase or decrease extreme temperatures and precipitation, depending on localized conditions, with an impact on the frequency, intensity and location of floods and other climate-related disasters.” (Why are Cities at Risk? How to Make Cities More Resilient: A Handbook for Local Government Leaders, UN ISDR, 2012).

We cannot forever choose to be stuck in our individual comfort zone. By doing so, instead of sharing our ideas and skills and collaborating actively and engaging fully with each other, irrespective of religion, political affiliation and personal orientation, we are allowing others to control our destiny. That is a huge risk that affects even generations thereafter. It is simply not an option.

Today’s fourth State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III will hopefully not touch solely the milestones achieved the past year. The President should prioritize disaster preparedness and our response to climate change, harmonize conflicting policies to attain sustainability and most importantly challenge Filipinos to unleash their talent, energy and creativity in making each citizen disaster-resilient.