RECENTLY the country marked the sixth anniversary of the super typhoon “Yolanda” disaster. It was a good time to reflect on the lessons it left us.
The World Bank estimates that every dollar invested in disaster reduction measures saves seven to 10 dollars in losses from natural disasters. With natural hazards hitting us all the time, we must act smarter.
An average of 25 typhoons visit the country yearly. “Yolanda” in 2013 was the strongest so far and it revealed the gravity of disaster risk that communities face. It became the new benchmark for disaster prevention and preparedness.
Like all natural hazards, “Yolanda” was inevitable. But its disastrous effects could have been prevented or mitigated if we were more prepared. In short, we should manage risks rather than manage disasters. In the lingo of disaster reduction experts, this is simply called “risk governance.” Local government units must determine if certain risks are prevalent in a community making it vulnerable to the effects of a landslide, flooding, tsunami, storm surge or earthquake. Local disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation plans must be crafted to address these threats and funds should be sufficiently allocated to effectively carry out these plans.
Also, we should make every Filipino “disaster-literate.” Sound policies and political will to implement do not complete the formula for effective disaster prevention because there needs to be cooperation from the public. Early and mandatory evacuation would be useless if the people do not understand the need for such efforts. If some of our people do not yet see how the issues could affect them, still it is our responsibility to draw them in. The government can conduct training for building the resilience of families covered by the Conditional Cash Transfer Program, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and barangay leagues.
Raising public awareness should be made to resonate loudly and as far deep into the communities as possible.
