Preparing the country for natural disasters

“We also made it a point to equip our responders with the most advanced technologies.

Due to our location in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the typhoon belt, the Philippines is considered as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. In fact, according to the 2017 World Risk Report, the country is the third most vulnerable to natural disasters.

Considering these circumstances, we must always be ready and prepared for any national disasters. The government, private, and non-government sectors are working together to ensure our people’s protection and enhance their resiliency in times of calamities and emergencies.

When he was still mayor of Davao City, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte had always been a strong advocate and implementer of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation policies, programs and projects. Among his major projects was the improvement of Davao City’s waterways and drainage systems by assessing settlements and areas vulnerable to flood and other hazards. With careful planning and proper implementation of the project, we have vastly improved our holding capacities.

In Davao City, we also strongly pushed community involvement in disaster preparedness.

We made sure that our people, especially the young, are aware and prepared for whatever disaster may occur in their areas through efficient information dissemination campaigns and drills.

We also made it a point to equip our responders with the most advanced technologies, knowledge, trainings and skills. We constantly enhance our communications systems and upgrade our rescue equipment. Our officials and responders are also updated and educated regularly to the changing conditions of our communities.

I, myself, took part in responding to emergencies when some Davao residents were trapped in their houses due to severe flooding caused by severe tropical storm “Vinta” in December 2017. We were able to save many lives in the area, thanks to effective preparations and response mechanisms that we have put in place years before.

It is our hope that we could replicate what we have done in Davao City on a national scale.

We are on that track as we write. Efforts within the Executive and the Legislative departments are under way to establish a new agency focusing on disaster preparedness and management which is a fulfillment of one of President Duterte’s promises in last year’s State of the Nation Address.

I strongly believe that we can guarantee the safety and well-being of the Filipino people through effective disaster management, proper utilization of new technologies and formulation of responsive policies on disaster preparedness and mitigation. Data and information about disaster risks are free and accessible in government websites. Disaster kits are also inexpensive and readily available. We can use these to make our families, barangays, towns or cities safer.

As citizens, individuals and communities, we can always do something to mitigate the dangers to our lives, families and communities. Each one of us has a role to play in pushing more efficient, effective and sustainable ways to adapt to changing climate patterns or mitigate the effects of natural disasters.

These preparations may not stop calamities from happening but we can surely use them to prevent damage, injury or death whenever these disasters occur. It is, therefore, up to us to empower ourselves and our communities towards greater preparedness.

“It is our hope that we could replicate what we have done in Davao City on a national scale.

Let us all join hands in building a disaster resilient Philippines!

Blast from the past: July 16, 1990, earthquake struck Luzon, resulting in numerous deaths and damage to property. The 7.7 magnitude tremor was strongly felt throughout the island of Luzon. An estimated 1,621 people were killed and great damage was suffered in Central Luzon, Cordillera Region, Cagayan Valley and the southern parts of the Ilocos region. The cities of Baguio, Cabanatuan and Dagupan also reported heavy damage and casualties.

The enormous amount of death and devastation caused by the disaster shook the entire nation and posed questions regarding our country and people’s preparedness in case another earthquake of that magnitude occurs. May we learn from the lessons offered by this terrible tragedy so we can prevent great loss of life and property in the future.

Congratulations to Sen. Manny Pacquiao for winning over Lucas Matthysse for the World Boxing Association welterweight title at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Both boxers displayed great boxing skills and prowess but Manny just overwhelmed his enemy with his speed and power. Thank you Manny for another exciting boxing match!