Disaster ang Preparedness?!

“Disasters can be substantially reduced if people are well informed and motivated towards a culture of disaster prevention and resilience, which in turn requires the collection, compilation and dissemination of relevant knowledge and information on hazards, vulnerabilities and capacities.”

My take:

The latest onslaught of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan are evidence that even the most disciplined and prepared people are vulnerable to nature’s wrath. Sa atin, typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, took lives, Billions worth of properties and infrastructure and worst, the unquantifiable social and economic costs. Our geographic setting makes us prone to natural hazards: typhoons, volcanic eruption, landslides, earthquake, tsunami, among others.

People and community participation have been recognized as vital elements in disaster management. The Hyogo Framework of Action of the United Nations (2005-2015) identified the usage of knowledge, innovations, and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels. 

Two years ago, after typhoon Frank hit my home province and while involved in a national agency, we started an advocacy of involving the younger sector in disaster preparedness. The Youth Emergency Squad was born to encourage youth involvement in basic emergency/disaster management through training and production of IEC materials. We piloted the project in the City of Marikina which culminated in a showcase of what the students learned.   

The proposal, at first received lukewarm reactions, yet we were not disappointed. Until Typhoon Ondoy came. The project then evolved into a proposed Emergency Response Education Act. We lobbied its passage in the lower house and was eventually incorporated in the then proposed Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill, now Republic Act 10121. It’s Section 14 (Integration of disaster Risk Reduction Education into the School Curricula and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Program and Mandatory Training for the Public Sector Employees) clearly mandates all concerned agencies to integrate the same in secondary and tertiary level of education, including NSTP, whether in private or public, formal and non-formal, tech-voc, indigenous learning and OSY’s courses and programs.

After its passage into law in 2010, other than the annual drill during disaster preparedness month, I haven’t heard of any specific move from should-be involved agencies relative to what the law is saying. I won’t even be surprised if until now the law’s implementing rules and regulations relative to Section 14 are not yet implemented. I haven't heard of any coordinative meetings done by these agencies. Kailan pa kaya?

We are a country of laws. Maraming Batas, yet, walang nangyayari. While our laws are supposed to provide preventive mechanisms, we only react-nang-react when the circumstances have already unfolded, when the damages are evident. Sayang ang perang ginugol sa mga Committee hearings ng ating legislative branch.

We pride for the manpower that we have, it is our best asset. If only our people are informed and capable, with the resiliency of the Filipinos, we can better survive anything, at anytime, and anywhere.

Until when. . . . . Bayan?