Best to prepare for soonest
There are a number of concerns that we need to best prepare for, earliest we can.
First, another low pressure area has been sighted and reported approaching Mindanao. While praying that this will not develop into another typhoon (please Lord, not another Odette), how can LGUs and residents prepare best for another typhoon?
Odette showed the vulnerability and weaknesses of DRRM networks and responses. Before another typhoon comes soon, can all bounce back quick enough to be more resilient and prepared especially to protect people and communities?
Now is certainly not the best time to sound off a new alert to prepare more effectively against another typhoon, but best to be informed and reminded ahead than be sorry later.
Possible water shortage also has been raised in Metro Manila. All other areas in the Philippines may want to make sure their water supply is ample and accessible, with or without disaster.
Can rain harvesting be an option? Lessons from Odette about how drinking water supply can immediately be provided also need to be reviewed.
Hopefully, governments now know how other essential facilities and services can immediately be restored and made publicly available, and a more effective/appropriate response network/system too?
Then again, the coronavirus/variants continue to be serious concerns requiring continuing private/public vigilance and health protocol compliance.
Omicron may appear to be less serious and threatening than Delta but it is infecting large numbers quickly, affecting hospital occupancy yet again.
Please remember that COVID-19 is still not contained and risky, especially among the unvaccinated and the complacent - including those who do not wear masks/those who do not wear masks correctly, those who do not keep social distancing, do not wash their hands when they return home.
Self-isolation and quarantine are allowed more now but governments need to provide adequate/functioning support and response systems to those who do. Public information about COVID-related teleconsulting/home testing and other services should be provided and widely, immediately disseminated.
As COVID-19 is still here, governments should also not be complacent and ensure that medicines and other resources are available for the sick, with isolation facilities and centers in communities ready in the event of another surge in active cases
Vaccination should be more aggressively encouraged and done, more coherent, rational data-supported policies implemented. Contact tracing, testing, data tracking need to be continued to guide policy protective of more people and communities.
More health workers and frontliners are also down with COVID-19. They and their families need all the urgent and well-deserved medical, salary and benefits-support from government!
Which brings us to pressure government to address the reported huge debts of PhilHealth! Promises of payment have been made but not fulfilled. When will government seriously resolve this PhilHealth fiasco? And the Pharmally-DOH issue as well?
Will May2022 elections usher in elected officials who will decisively, honestly, and more effectively manage disasters, COVID-19, health and other welfare funds, corruption and other problems?
Of serious concern, recent developments have emerged that may affect the integrity of the ballot and the May 2022 elections.
Comelec has issued the assurance that no hacking has taken place as raised in a published report. Perhaps the public should require Comelec to explain this with clearer details? Candidates, political parties, all sectors need to unite together to ensure that the May electoral process will be clean and honest and each voter's right to suffrage protected and respected.
A possible electrical breakdown during the elections was reported last Thursday. Remember the electoral glitch that continues to cast doubt on the genuine results of the last senatorial election?
Reviewing, instituting safeguards and safety nets to protect the ballot should best be prepared for, as early as now!
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