EDITORIAL - Better, more resilient communities

The government unveiled yesterday its master plan for the reconstruction of areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda and the recent magnitude 7.2 earthquake. The plan, drawn up by the National Economic and Development Authority in consultation with certain donor agencies and concerned sectors, calls for funding of nearly $8.2 billion, much of which will be sourced from foreign aid.

President Aquino, addressing representatives of about 70 foreign governments, multilateral aid institutions and other development partners as the master plan was launched, promised that aid would be utilized properly. He and his officials also gave assurance that the nation was committed to “build back better” – the buzz phrase in post-disaster reconstruction.

The main rebuilding program will last beyond the President’s term, but the nation – and the world – should be able to see by the time he steps down in 2016 whether better communities are rising from the ruins of Yolanda and the earthquake. A key component of the massive reconstruction program is disaster resilience, which may be overlooked in the rush to restart lives. Disaster resilience is also not a simple task in coastal communities that are always at risk of another killer storm surge.

The reconstruction plan was unveiled as survivors marked the 40th day of mourning for their lost loved ones. Forty days to prepare a rehabilitation blueprint is quick enough under the circumstances, and considering the slow government response in the first few days after Yolanda struck. Now the plan must be implemented with measured haste, with eyes set on the objective of building something better from the ashes of disaster.