ONE OF THE gems I learned from graduate school at UP Open University is the concept on Non-Traditional Security (NTS). NTS challenges such as transnational crime, terrorism, disaster relief, information security, climate change, and public health epidemics are now considered core national security issues (https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/06/04/non-traditional-security-threats-in-asia-finding-a-regional-way-forward/).
The occurrence of an earthquake, for example, constitutes an NTS threat because of its direct effect on people. NTS directly targets people – they are the most affected. Moreover, “studies have shown that NTS challenges have resulted in more deaths and have had a substantially larger impact on people over time” (https://reliefweb.int/report/world/rsis-non-traditional-security-nts-year-review-2016).
On Oct. 16, 29, and 31, 2019, a series of strong earthquakes jolted the province of Cotabato disrupting the routine lives of the residents of Tulunan, M’lang, Magpet, Makilala, and the City of Kidapawan. The series of tectonic earthquakes that rocked the province had a magnitude ranging from 6.3-6.6 with a depth focus of 007-008 kilometres.
The province of Cotabato belongs to SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12). Region 12 consists of four provinces, namely, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani, and 5 cities, enumerated thus: General Santos, Cotabato, Koronadal, Tacurong, and Kidapawan. General Santos and Cotabato are chartered cities while Koronadal, Tacurong, and Kidapawan are component cities. Cotabato Province has seventeen 17 municipalities and 1 component city.
According to data from government agencies, the region hosts a total of 45 municipalities and 1,192 barangays. But more than that, Region 12 is one of the seismically-active regions in the country. This is because of the presence of the Cotabato Fault System (CFS). This CFS encompasses the M’lang Fault, the Makilala Fault, the North Columbio Fault, the South Columbio Fault, and the Makilala-Malungon Fault. Beat that!
Owing to the intensity of the series of earthquakes and aftershocks, deaths, casualties, and damages to houses, private properties, and government infrastructures, followed. According to reports from Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-12, 22 people have been reported dead; nine missing; and 445 injured.
A total of 230,745 individuals from 209 barangays were severely disturbed by the series of earthquakes. About 45 percent of the total distressed populations reside in Makilala (Cotabato Province) while 100 percent of Makilala’s barangays experienced the most devastation.
With the destruction and disruption to human lives, the total amount of damages is pegged at P13,676,090,251.09 with 79 percent (P9,902,128,963.87) accounting for damages and 21 percent (P3,454,971,661.60) accounting for losses.
A total amount of P7,261,751,944.87 is needed for recovery and reconstruction projects, programs, and activities that will enable the affected local government units to recover from the effects of the disaster.
Now let’s go to the survivors. Having experienced the devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol on Oct. 15, 2013, I assure you that I can fully empathize with those who lost everything. We’re talking houses, farmlands, to incomes, and more. Thus the process of recovery and reconstruction should revolve around rebuilding the shattered lives of the survivors. While it may be said that the Filipino spirit is resilient, however, the trauma of such disaster and the challenge to cope with the consequences, will always leave an indelible mark on the survivors.
Meanwhile, those living in evacuation centers have their own shares of discomforts especially among women, children, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. Some affected families would opt to return to their ruined homes notwithstanding the threats for the comfort of a private space. Who wouldn’t?
For each family living inside an evacuation center, the desire to return home is always paramount. While waiting for government’s provision of relocation houses – which will take time, residents use personal money to undertake repairs of their wrecked houses. However, this activity, too, entails expenses which all the more drain them.
In the aftermath of the series of earthquakes and the response of government – whether quick or delayed, it was noted that survivors, evacuees, and the people at large, still put their trust in government. There was expectation that government will assist them rebuild their houses, restore their damaged water resources, and acquire relocation sites. Moreover, people have expressed expectations that government will provide alternative job opportunities since their former occupations and sources of income are now gone. They are hopeful that notwithstanding the expected long recovery period, their government leaders will continue to assist them until they will eventually attain a normal life.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There is an urgent and important need to integrate disaster risk reduction and management or DRRM in school curricula as an elective subject applicable to all levels. – OCD-12
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For comments, you may reach the writer at belca.87@gmail.com./PN
