UP-TO-DATE advisories from our much improved state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) are a big help. During bad weather conditions, local government units are alerted on what to do.
Adequately preparing for storms means knowing them fully well and the dangers they bring. Having experts gather and validate scientific data allows the accurate prediction of events, which could then be matched with the best practical solutions. When and where a typhoon will strike, and how, are critical knowledge that will allow the community to timely seek safer ground and fully protect their homes and properties.
However, if there is no public cooperation, scientific data, sound disaster management policies and the political will to implement them won’t complete the formula for effective disaster prevention. If the people do not understand the need for such efforts, early and mandatory evacuation would be useless. If some of our people do not yet see how the issues could affect them, it is our responsibility to draw them in.
For example, during the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda” in November 2013, all 500 houses in the island of Tulang Diyot (Municipality of San Francisco, Cebu province) were destroyed but the entire population was saved because of prompt evacuation. When it was clear from weather forecasters how bad the typhoon would be, the local government decided to evacuate all 1,000 people. Because they’ve done so much work on disaster risk, everyone fully understood the need to move to safety.
Let the science work for us. Let us make every Filipino disaster-literate. As much as possible, let us raise public awareness. Let us resonate this loudly and as far deep into the communities.
