AS THIS was being written on Friday, tropical storm “Paeng” was busy unleashing torrential rains over Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas, Quezon, MIMAROPA, Caraga, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, Northern Mindanao, and the rest of the Visayas.
We should now be experts in preparing for storms. After all, we have already experienced “Odette”, “Yolada”, “Ondoy”, “Sendong”, etc. Or are we?
By making good use of lessons learned from past disasters, we can lessen the necessity for disaster relief, and we can build a resilient future for Filipinos. Are we typhoon-resilient now?
When disaster strikes a part of the nation, it does not only affect that particular area, it also impacts the economy, which in turn affects everyone in the country. Take note that losses from “Yolanda” were estimated at P571 billion, which represented close to five percent of the Philippines’ annual Gross Domestic Product.
Several major factors contribute to the country’s vulnerability to natural hazards. These are ecosystems decline, exposure of economic assets, poverty, rapid growth of cities, and climate change. But we can overcome these vulnerabilities through an environmental program audit, risk-sensitive planning and investment, strengthening social protection, advancing economic and business resilience, and promoting community resilience.
As a fundamental development strategy, building resilience would help our government sustain the country’s socioeconomic gains, make a difference in poverty reduction, and eventually ensure the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Tragedies such as “Odette”, “Yolanda”, “Sendong”, etc. create the context for learning and growing. These disasters should make us resilient. Our shared memory of death, loss and survival should drive us to build a resilient Philippines.
