Six in a month

As of this writing, tropical Storm Pepito (International Code Name: Man-Yi) is thankfully out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility but not before wreaking havoc over a large portion of Catanduanes and Central Luzon. It achieved a Category 5 super typhoon classification before slamming into the country. The island of Catanduanes was hardest hit as Pepito was at its full strength. Storms normally weaken after making landfall, thanks to our mighty mountain ranges. It is a shadow of its former self when it clears the country. Countries such as Vietnam and China are grateful for these natural barriers.

Pepito was the sixth storm system to hit the country in a month. It brought strong winds while the previous super typhoon Kristine (International Code Name: Trami) drenched a similar area. It is unusual to have storms one after the other, but not rare. Ideal conditions for a storm system are set by the preceding one. In this case, a perfect storm-like situation happened for the five storms. Thankfully no storms are brewing over the Pacific Ocean at this time.

The death toll has risen to eight, with one killed in Camarines Norte, and seven killed in a landslide in Nueva Vizcaya. Three people were also injured. We can only thank God the death toll is not higher considering the damage and strength of the typhoon. However, the destruction caused by Pepito was widespread and extensive. Houses built with lightweight materials were blown away. Trees and power lines were toppled down like toothpicks. It may be a while before power is restored in Catanduanes Island. I know it is more expensive, but perhaps it is time to lay down power lines underground where typhoons cannot affect them, especially in typhoon-prone areas.

Relief efforts are now underway. I can imagine the calamity funds may be running low after all the typhoons in a month. But there should be no let-up. The US has pledged a million dollars and more importantly, offered its assets to deliver tons of relief items to victims. Their helicopters, ships, and engineering vehicles would greatly help this effort. I have always mentioned the Armed Forces of the Philippines should have at least three heavy-lift helicopters to aid in disaster situations, one for each major island. Engineering equipment like bulldozers and cranes can be rapidly deployed by these helicopters where they are needed, such as clearing runways, bridges, rivers, and debris when roads become impassable. They also become vital where roads do not exist at all.

The country is known for its resilience when calamities strike. But there is still much room for improvement. Governments should provide funds for improving disaster response, not for intelligence and confidential funds, which officials somehow have a hard time explaining how they were used.