Gov’t’s ‘improved’ disaster preparedness hailed

Zero visibility along Roxas Bloulevard as strong winds brought by Typhoon Glenda hits Metro Manila. JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines – Senators commended on Thursday the government’s “improved” preparedness during the onslaught of  Typhoon “Glenda” although one said the country could still do better, especially when faced with stronger typhoons and other natural hazards.

“The level of disaster preparedness has evidently improved, from forecasting, early warning to evacuation of families in high-risk areas,” Senator Loren Legarda, chairman of the committees on climate change, and environment, said in a statement.

“Weather bulletins were given out regularly and warnings of storm surges were sent out early,” it added. “The local government units heeded these advisories and did the right thing of enforcing evacuation of families living in coastal communities.”

“However, we should not content ourselves with the outcome and we must strive to target zero casualty as we increasingly gain the resources and political will needed to address the constant risks of disasters,” Legarda added.

She said the country should find a way to prevent damage to critical infrastructures such as transmission lines, noting that electricity and communication lines are more important in the aftermath of disasters.

Community preparations for disasters, she said, should also include regular pruning of trees, dredging of canals and esteros, and the practice of segregating garbage.

Legarda also called on communities to heed disaster warnings to avoid accidents.

“When warned of an impending hazard, we should take safety measures. Stay indoors and do not attempt to go out especially at the height of the typhoon to avoid accidents. We should also ensure the structural integrity of buildings and firewalls so that these structures would not collapse and cause death or injuries,” said the senator.

“National and local action must promote disaster prevention with ‘zero tolerance’ as a mindset and approach. On the other hand, citizens must do their part by paying attention to government warnings and community advisories, especially when there is a need to evacuate,”   she added.

Senator Grace Poe also noted that coordination with the local government units has improved but said there’s still a need to strengthen the mandate of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).

“Pag-aralan na gawing hiwalay na ahensya   (ang NDRRMC), parang FEMA sa US, (Let’s study to make it a separate agency like the FEMA in the US),” Poe said in a text message.

FEMA is Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Senator Nancy Binay, an opposition member, said credit should be given to the LGUs –   from governors, mayors to barangay (village) officials, for their initiatives to be “disaster-ready.”

“Malaking bagay ang komunikasyon sa pagbibigay ng kahandaan ng lahat. The ‘Ondoy,’ ‘Santi’ and ‘Yolanda’ events have increased our level of awareness and preparedness. Sa panahon ng sakuna, media at komunikasyon ang Sandigan ng lahat,” Binay said in a separate text message Thursday.

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