Building resilience

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AS TROPICAL storm “Urduja” intensified yesterday, heavy rains and rough seas stranded thousands in Bicol, Eastern and Western Visayas regions. Landslides and flooding were reported in some areas.

Times like this remind us that disaster risk reduction should be at the core of each local government unit’s (LGU) development agenda. There is a need, too, to engage civil society and the private sector in building resilience especially among vulnerable communities. As a fundamental development strategy, building resilience help sustain the government’s socioeconomic gains, make a difference in poverty reduction, and eventually ensure the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

Disasters like super typhoon “Yolanda” can undo years of economic growth. Losses due to “Yolanda” in 2013 are now estimated at $15 billion, which represents close to five percent of the Philippines’ annual gross domestic product. Thus promoting community resilience cannot be overemphasized. LGUs should prioritize it as part of their political and sustainable development agenda. Paying attention to protection will improve environmental, social and economic conditions, including combating the future variables of climate change. Initiatives include the establishment of multi-hazard early warning systems, rainwater harvesting, seed banking, rooftop gardening, building roadside ditches and sea walls, mangrove reforestation, and the conduct of drills for preparedness.

It is the responsibility of LGUs to ensure that people understand the risks in their communities. Early and mandatory evacuation will be ineffective if the people do not understand the need for such efforts. LGUs must heed our geohazard maps to determine the no-build zones and raise the standard for building structures. For instance, coastal structures, including roads and bridges, should be built and designed considering projected sea level rise due to climate change.

Most natural hazards turn into disasters because of the lack of preparedness. It is a must that LGUs and citizens understand how they can contribute to making communities disaster-resilient and actually take part in such activities. Disaster prevention starts long before a typhoon makes landfall, before an earthquake happens or before a volcano erupts.
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