Palace hopes Pinoys to imbibe culture of disaster preparedness

MANILA, Philippines - While zero casualty in times of calamities remains to be achieved, Malacañang is hoping a “culture of preparedness” is beginning to evolve among Filipinos as the country faces more disasters due to climate change.

President Aquino also said upon his arrival from Busan, South Korea Friday night that South Korean President Park Geun-hye and leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed their solidarity with the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Ruby.

Aquino said they discussed during the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea commemorative summit the Philippines’ efforts to respond better to disasters and for all countries to make their contributions to combat climate change.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB yesterday that 19 people were killed because of Ruby based on the latest update, but she expressed belief that government preparation saved a lot of lives.

“Ruby makes it very real to our neighbors in the ASEAN as well our friends in South Korea the need for increased awareness and action on disaster risks,” Valte said.

“And, as the President said, we also have many lessons to learn from South Korea when it comes to disaster risk mitigation. So it’s an opportunity really to highlight the evolving needs of countries as they face issues brought about by climate change,” she added.

As the end of 2014 draws near, Valte said one of the Aquino administration’s achievements could be the fact that a “culture of preparedness” among the people is starting to take root.

She also said the government has learned its lessons from past disasters and is reviewing “what other positives it can refine to be able to deliver services to the ground at the quickest possible time.”