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A higher level of resilience
THREE years have passed after super typhoon “Yolanda” battered the Visayas. Though rehabilitation efforts have been decidedly slow, we see progress. Filipino resilience in the face of this and other disasters cannot be ignored.
The world recognizes the resilience of the Filipino spirit. Even after experiencing the worst disaster, we find reason to smile and laugh, we help others even if we are victims too, and we immediately go about our business. Resilience has been a remarkable strength of our citizens. But at the end of the day, the greater challenge after a typhoon or earthquake is always: how do we rebuild our communities?
Let us bring our resilience to a higher level — where we need not weep for a lost loved one after a natural hazard and where there is less or no more damaged infrastructure and properties because we have already managed to make our communities safer.
We are glad that our government has embraced the concept of “building back better.” We must rebuild communities with the confidence that we are not rebuilding the risks again. We must ensure that reconstruction of homes and infrastructure will be on safer ground following geohazard maps and sound construction standards. We need to re-start and create livelihoods; and restore normalcy to people’s lives.
We do not hope for more natural hazards to come. We only hope that when the next typhoon or earthquake strikes, the world will laud us for our strength, for the greater resilience of our communities — zero casualty, minimal property damage, quick response and recovery.
We must focus on managing the risks rather than managing disasters. Local disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation plans are indispensable. Funds should be sufficiently allocated.
Government and businesses need to let science work for our communities. The best solutions are possible only with the guidance of science. Develop land use plans that are risk sensitive. The dictum is not just to build, but build stronger. Build for the future.
We should all be “disaster-literate.” We need to understand and believe in the risks. Everybody should be part of the solution. Prepare adequately and engage. While disaster prevention should be the greater focus of our efforts, response preparedness is important to reduce losses. With adequate and proper preparation, we would already have won half the battle.
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