Weathering the storm

Latest reports show that Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) has caused more than a hundred casualties, and as of this writing, Leon has also intensified into a severe tropical storm. According to the state weather bureau PAGASA, six more tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility before the year-end.

This is a stark reminder that despite the many technological advancements in today’s modern society, the Philippines remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters, and without proactive measures, this vulnerability will only worsen over time.

The onslaught of STS Kristine is an eye-opener, showing that this could be the ‘new normal’ in terms of natural disasters – stronger storms packed with heavy rains that cause flooding for days and gusty winds that can easily topple trees and other structures.

In the case of Kristine, several areas experienced unprecedented rainfall and powerful winds, resulting in widespread flooding, loss of life, destruction of property and extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture, among other impacts.

Initial government estimates place agricultural losses and infrastructure damage at at least P3 billion in the Bicol region alone. At least 80 cities and towns have been placed under a state of calamity due to the widespread damage caused by the storm. These are all major national setbacks that have a ripple effect on our economy.

While it is worth noting that there have been significant improvements in both national and local disaster preparedness and response protocols, the extensive damage caused by Kristine highlights the pressing need to further enhance disaster preparedness, not just disaster response.

It has long been a well-established fact that the Philippines is among the most disaster-prone nations, with an average of 20 storms hitting the country per year. This alone should strengthen our resolve not only to improve disaster preparedness measures but also to innovate by making our communities climate-adaptive and not just resilient.

A study by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction shows that for every $1 invested in disaster preparedness, $7 can be saved from cleanup and recovery. This proves that strengthening our disaster preparedness not only saves lives but also preserves economic stability.

Enhancing our social infrastructure to make it climate-adaptive can save communities from the unending cycle of recovery and rebuilding from natural disasters.

Transforming communities to be more climate-adaptive is beneficial in the long run, as we can shift resources from short-term relief efforts to more sustainable disaster preparedness and response programs that strengthen our resilience over time.

From my perspective, this starts with strengthening our government’s disaster risk mapping capabilities and ensuring that they remain up to date. By doing so, communities identified as highly vulnerable to natural calamities can be properly equipped with the resources they need to withstand and respond effectively.

Increased transparency in the implementation of disaster preparedness projects, such as flood control, can also build public confidence in the government’s commitment to control, if not prevent, flooding.

News reports during Kristine’s onslaught revealed that many individuals in affected communities described last week’s floods as unprecedented and that evacuation and rescue operations in some areas were hampered by the lack of basic rescue tools such as boats.

Local government units should be provided with more resources – as the first responders in times of disasters, they should be further empowered with the tools they need for disaster preparedness. This critical support enables them to act swiftly and save as many lives as possible.

Partnerships with the private sector are also beneficial in improving disaster preparedness, given that this sector has always been among the first to respond to calls for support in times of calamities.

The STS Kristine aftermath showed how the business community quickly augmented relief goods and provided support for disaster-hit communities. The One Meralco Foundation, for example, immediately sent relief goods and solar lamps to the Bicol region – parts of which are still waiting for power restoration.

As many communities reel from the devastation left by Kristine, may we use the lessons from this storm to push for decisive, long-term actions to break the cycle of destruction, recovery and rebuilding that has become all too familiar.

Severe weather conditions may be the ‘new normal,’ but the devastation our communities experience doesn’t have to be. Let us work together so that future generations may inherit a safer, stronger, and more resilient Philippines. The time to act is now.