The Intensity of Kristine

For two days, the local government of Cebu City suspended classes due to the effects of severe tropical storm Kristine. Although we weren't directly in its path, the storm’s intense winds spread its impact across areas in the Visayas and even Mindanao. I vividly remember the trees swaying in the powerful gusts. In some towns in the province, entire trees were uprooted. In the city, portions of buildings collapsed, leaving debris that posed potential hazards to passersby.

It seems that our local government units are downplaying weather disturbances such as Kristine. During the sweltering days of El Niño, discussions about the rainy season appeared to be nonexistent. Everyone was too engrossed in figuring out how to cope with the extreme heat. The most straightforward solution seemed to be declaring a state of calamity to release funds for those affected. However, I believe in the saying that if you teach a man how to fish rather than simply giving him a fish, he will be able to feed not only himself but many others. This is a concept that we, as Filipinos, seem to struggle to grasp, especially during calamities.

A local chief executive was seen distributing cash to stranded individuals amid the floods in the Bicol region. While this was a kind gesture to provide monetary aid, it is quite perplexing how people are expected to use the money when floodwaters are still rising. What makes the situation even more troubling is the need for the politician to be documented as he extended his arm with cash in hand. The disaster, which has left many individuals homeless this upcoming Christmas season, has become a tool for political propaganda.

I see this as indicative of how intense severe tropical storm Kristine truly was. The storm exposed the flaws within our government, from local to national levels. We witnessed how each local government unit scrambled to create their own responses to the disaster. There was no sense of unity or coordinated effort, which left residents feeling abandoned and in despair. Nobody anticipated the heavy rains that amounted to the equivalent of two months of normal rain. No one heeded the warnings about the harsh realities of climate change and its impending effects. I even doubt that once this crisis subsides, there will be any concrete actions taken to mitigate these issues moving forward.

The intensity of Kristine not only demonstrated our resilience but also highlighted the accountability of our leaders, who have promised us a better Philippines. We will never achieve our aspirations if we continue to settle for individuals who do not understand the realities of our environment. Only forward-thinking leaders who can develop effective solutions and measures to address these pressing problems deserve to hold positions of power.

The unfortunate truth is that storms and typhoons will continue to grow stronger by the minute. This is a factor beyond our control, but we can always manage our responses to such challenges. It is high time for us to review existing plans on paper in relation to climate change and the evolving effects. We must prioritize proactive strategies that not only prepare us for future disasters but also address the underlying issues that contribute to our vulnerability.