Bridges, ports key to disaster efforts

MANILA, Philippines—The construction of bridges and roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) ports should be an integral component of a disaster manual to be drafted by Malacañang, according to a lawmaker.

Kasangga Party-list Rep. Ted Haresco said the extensive damage caused by typhoons and floods from Albay to Bulacan to Iligan and Cagayan de Oro has underscored the importance of bridges and ro-ro ports in facilitating the evacuation and relief operations.

“Linkages are essential in ensuring that municipalities and barangays are kept from becoming isolated, and that disaster relief efforts can reach areas that are worst hit,” he said.

Haresco supported the plan of President Aquino to institutionalize a disaster manual which would raise the level of awareness and readiness of Filipinos to more destructive typhoons and floods brought about by climate change.

Extreme weather conditions

“An essential part of this (disaster manual) is a long hard look at the expected effects of extreme weather conditions that climate change will visit upon the country in the coming three, six, and twelve months,” Haresco said. “The manual must consider calamities other than typhoons and floods. No one yet is talking about severe drought, the damage to crops, and potential loss of food security.”

Haresco said the disaster manual should ensure the construction of bridges geared toward the country’s tropical weather and withstand stronger typhoons and bigger floods. This means giving preference to tropicalized technology that was more resilient and adaptable to the weather conditions in the Philippines.

Haresco, a member of the Joint Oversight Committee on National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, said ro-ro ports have become more important especially in delivering quick and low-cost bulk delivery of essential supplies and manpower in disaster-stricken areas.

He cited the case of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro where potable water had to be airlifted to reach the victims.

“The most immediate need in any disaster is the availability of clean water. Sourced from nearby provinces, ro-ro vessels could deliver the bulk quantities required by victims and rescue efforts alike,” said Haresco.