The Philippines is among the most disaster-prone countries in this part of the world.
Typhoons spawned in the Pacific Ocean batter our shores at the rate of around 20 per year, causing floods, landslides and widespread destruction of agricultural crops, homes, and public infrastructures.
We are also located in the Pacific ‘ring of fire’ consisting of active volcanoes that may not violently erupt on a regular basis, but nonetheless cause destruction of homes and massive evacuation of people to safer places when they do.
There are also earthquakes that topple buildings and residences as well as damage infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
And we’re not even talking of man-made disasters such as massive displacement of people from their homes due to armed conflict especially in the countryside.
Typhoon Egay left 25 dead and over 2 million people affected by strong winds and rains that destroyed homes and crops and flooded many low-lying communities across its path.
Moreover, the typhoon left at least 252 roads, 19 bridges, 112 schools, and six government facilities damaged.
Initial infrastructure damage, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), could well go over P3.5 billion.
At least eight more tropical cyclones are likely to hit the country before the end of the year, based on projections of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), with the strongest typhoons expected to hit the country by September and October this year.
But not everything is doom and gloom amid our constant exposure to natural disasters.
Despite the expected weather disturbances, the agency explained that typhoons can have a beneficial effect as these can bring more rains and help ensure sufficient water supply for households and farms amid the looming El Niño phenomenon.
The water supply from various dams can be enough for the rest of the year despite the expected reduction of rainfall by the last quarter as a side effect of El Niño.
The national government and LGUs appear to be in a better position now to respond to natural disasters.
The NDRRMC, the coordinating body of various departments and agencies, has been doing a good job in disaster response.
The Department of Social Work and Development has in fact prepositioned relief supplies such as water, canned food, rice and other basic necessities in disaster-prone areas.
In a recent media forum, Director Edgar Posadas of the Office of Civil Defense was asked if the agency agreed with the proposed law creating a separate Department of Disaster Resilience that has yet to be passed by both chambers of Congress.
His reply: The various government agencies are already doing their part in disaster preparedness and disaster response, but we leave it to Congress and the Chief Executive and his Cabinet to decide on the matter.