Viewpoint

VIEWPOINT

Natural disasters such as earthquake, heavy flooding, severe fire break out  in our country  are the main cause of the issuance of a government  policy and procedure in our country nationwide. This is what we call the Disaster Risk Reduction Management  Plan or the DRRM. This is a project being implemented by our government nationwide  for the simple reason of achieving a zero casualty among the Filipinos when a disaster strikes our country like that of the very memorable Storm “Ondoy” in the year 2009, that  claimed many lives of our people, aside from leaving most of our people lifeless, they were empty handed and hopeless.

Natural Disasters are inevitable, these occurrences are not in the hands of any people, not even with the hands of  the President of the Philippines. Then it brings hazard to the people when it already poses disruption to our normal functions, both social and as a normal being.  But I firmly believe that we, the people, the community have a great involvement, not on the natural disasters but on the hazards and threats following a disaster strike.  I call it “People Responsibility.”  For the simple reason that we are responsible for the maintainance, caring and cultivation of the natural resources that are given to us by God.  I cannot help but think sometimes that, perhaps there is a already an observation from God as to how humans live on earth and its time to teach a lesson.

Issues of dislodgment, disorder and support from the different relief teams are common issues in our country after a disaster. Families are displaced for so many days, weeks or maybe even for months. Students cannot study well because of the situation, many women are lining up for the relief goods in anticipation that goods will not ran out.

What I can think of is that, the government should implement a more methodical way of doing rescues.  Even with the distribution of the relief goods, it can be done by clusters to avoid massive crowding.  It is a must that there should be at least a data of how many people, from the different genders and ages so everyone can be accommodated specially with food items. 

Another important aspect to be given attention is the readiness of the temporary evacuation centers for displaced community members. How come the government keep using open courts as evacuation. It would be really great if the government can include in their budgets and projects, the putting up of a temporary/reusable evacuation house/center made of canvass that is similar to a tent in an available  government land. Instead of our government budgets being  used in not so important matters, or even the issue of corruption, maybe the government can consider temporary camp/housing for families. It would also prevent the spread of disease that can possibly be a disaster too.

Finally,   all projects, management,  and plans will all not be possible if also our people would not cooperate. Empowering the people, keeping the community informed and updated of what they are supposed to do,  especially the less fortunate or the informal settlers , will complete everything what we all have been preparing for.

It is quite seldom that I am able to do community service. Maybe because, as a student I am also tied up with the busy schedule of schooling. We only have time on weekends and of course, spent with our own families.  But of all the community services that I have done in my whole life, this is the very first time that I went to our own barangay to be asking things that concerns the safety and well being of our community members surrounding my environment.   And I thank my college school, the University of Santo Tomas, more particularly my professor in my NSTP class, Prof. Adrian Romero, for giving me this very fruitful experience of having myself involved in my own community!