CNN iReport: Disaster preparedness in Philippines

Taken in Taytay, Rizal after the Ondoy tragedy in 2009. 

Typhoon Sendong, the deadliest cyclone in 12 years, claimed the lives of thousands of residents in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. The Massive flash flooding has also swept houses and hectares of farms. The death toll is expected to rise.

Two years ago, my friend and I appealed to the government about the need of having an efficient  disaster preparedness program to reduce the impacts of calamities hitting our country. Winning in the CNN/YouTube Debate in 2009, we zeroed into disaster preparedness program. Let me reiterate on the insights we shared in the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen.  

Award winning video

An efficient and effective communications system should be in place to reach out those who need help when a calamity is about to strike. A stakeholder approach including the government, the private sector, and the citizens should coordinate with each other to prepare for an upcoming calamity. Proactive than reactive response should be the lead of the game!  


A close and efficient coordination with different stakeholders during calamities will help reduce the impacts of several typhoons. 


The Ondoy tragedy that struck Luzon two years ago should be a painful lesson learned. It could be recalled that the Natural Disaster for Coordinating Council has been clueless in plotting out areas prior to the Ondoy tragedy. Same is true for the Sendong tragedy.  


Philippine President Ninoy Aquino was quick to admit the government could have done more in preventing the effects of the typhoon. Give the president the credit for honestly accepting the brutal fact, yet there are more legwork to do in the grassroots level. 


A research paper produced by Randolph Kent underpins an organized structure in implementing a disaster management program. Kent shared these insights:

• vulnerability assessment: dynamic on-going process of people and organizations that assess hazards and risks, anticipates relief needs and available resources.
• planning: identify clear goals and specific tasks for people and agencies in disaster preparedness.
• institutional framework: works within the established networks and system. 
• information system: coordinate means of gathering and disseminating vulnerably assessment and early warning within and between agencies and organizations  
• resource base: disaster relief funding, disaster preparedness funding, mechanisms for aid
• warning system: convey to the public effective warnings, international community must be forewarned. 
• response mechanism: disaster responses must be put in disaster preparedness plan and communicated to the people  
• public education and training: public education programs, experts must learn from local populations on how the warning system will be placed.  
• rehearsals: provide opportunities to reemphasize training programs.

As you may have observed, our government is only focused on response mechanism. Since we are good in mobilizing relief efforts during calamities, we should take a leap in mobilizing not just relief efforts but warning systems even before a natural disaster strikes. 


No doubt, the typhoon that hit the northern part of Mindanao is correlated with the effects of climate change. We know this is easier said than done. But with the right effort to be exerted, we all together can reduce the impacts of climate change!