- REUTERS - A resident retrieves belongings from the debris in a subdivision hit by flash floods brought by Typhoon Washi in Iligan city, southern Philippines December 19, 2011. Disaster agencies on Monday rushed …more
Following the devastation typhoon “Sendong” left in its wake, senators lamented the country’s unpreparedness for disasters and called for the improvement of the national disaster response plan.
Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on climate change, urged the government to immediately implement the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP).
The NDRRMP, which outlines the specific strategies to reduce disaster risks, is part of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law enacted back in 2010.
“Without a national disaster prevention plan rolled out at full speed, cities and municipalities will be unprepared and repeatedly battered by unexpected disasters,” Legarda said.
Wrong reports from Pagasa?
Meanwhile, Senator Edgardo Angara pointed out that the national weather bureau may have incorrectly estimated the amount of rainfall from “Sendong” (international name “Washi”).
Reports from a joint weather monitoring mission of U.S. and Japan saw rain falling at around 50 mm per hour while Pagasa estimated only 10-25 mm per hour of rainfall.
"Clearly, we still need to improve our disaster management and risk reduction systems," Angara said. "Government must push for concerted effort not only in improving our forecasting technologies but also in seeking the help of other nations, whenever we lack the infrastructure and expertise."
The worst floods in history
The flashfloods that killed over 600 people in Mindanao over the weekend were reportedly the worst in the history of Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City.
"We have to take note that the high number of casualties caused by typhoon Sendong could be due to lack of awareness of the risk and proper action of residents in affected areas, as they have not experienced floods of such magnitude in the past,” Legarda said.
She added that information dissemination is crucial in the disaster preparedness effort. “An educated populace would be prepared and know what to do in times of disaster.”
'Learn from past experiences'
The senators also noted that this is not the first time the country has faced such tragedy and that it is time for authorities and citizens alike to learn from past experiences in preparing for future calamities.
“Demanding immediate government action to address its impact is the very least we can do in remembrance of the Mindanao flashflood victims who would have hopefully issued a wake-up call for everyone,” Lagarda said.
Angara, on the other hand, emphasized, “This is not the first time tragedy befell us; it may also not be the last. But we must at least give our people a fighting chance to survive."
Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on climate change, urged the government to immediately implement the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP).
The NDRRMP, which outlines the specific strategies to reduce disaster risks, is part of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law enacted back in 2010.
“Without a national disaster prevention plan rolled out at full speed, cities and municipalities will be unprepared and repeatedly battered by unexpected disasters,” Legarda said.
Wrong reports from Pagasa?
Meanwhile, Senator Edgardo Angara pointed out that the national weather bureau may have incorrectly estimated the amount of rainfall from “Sendong” (international name “Washi”).
Reports from a joint weather monitoring mission of U.S. and Japan saw rain falling at around 50 mm per hour while Pagasa estimated only 10-25 mm per hour of rainfall.
"Clearly, we still need to improve our disaster management and risk reduction systems," Angara said. "Government must push for concerted effort not only in improving our forecasting technologies but also in seeking the help of other nations, whenever we lack the infrastructure and expertise."
The worst floods in history
The flashfloods that killed over 600 people in Mindanao over the weekend were reportedly the worst in the history of Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City.
"We have to take note that the high number of casualties caused by typhoon Sendong could be due to lack of awareness of the risk and proper action of residents in affected areas, as they have not experienced floods of such magnitude in the past,” Legarda said.
She added that information dissemination is crucial in the disaster preparedness effort. “An educated populace would be prepared and know what to do in times of disaster.”
'Learn from past experiences'
The senators also noted that this is not the first time the country has faced such tragedy and that it is time for authorities and citizens alike to learn from past experiences in preparing for future calamities.
“Demanding immediate government action to address its impact is the very least we can do in remembrance of the Mindanao flashflood victims who would have hopefully issued a wake-up call for everyone,” Lagarda said.
Angara, on the other hand, emphasized, “This is not the first time tragedy befell us; it may also not be the last. But we must at least give our people a fighting chance to survive."
