Our disaster risk reduction centers

EVERY YEAR, our country is visited by several tropical depressions of varying intensities and it becomes the battering ram of these destructive forces of nature.

We can do nothing but implement our prepared contingencies, if any, and hope these will prove adequate to address “distressed” situations. Whatever, our contingency plans should have regular reviews to find out their relevance and effectiveness.

In Metro Manila, local authorities were met with too much rains causing massive flooding. It is a common sight to behold people trodding the flooded streets going to work, school and other business appointments unmindful of the dangers, including leptospirosis, awaiting them. Such is the sorry state of this aging yet bulging metropolis.

Officials of the local government units under MMDA are always on the alert to implement emergency measures, including forced evacuations as the waters rise to swamp streets and households.

Despite warnings to monitor garbage deposits, irresponsible people still throw theirs in reckless abandon anywhere, thus aggravating the already clogged esteros and contribute immensely to the flooding. To the credit of some MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) people, they are on their toes, 24/ 7 draining the streets of unwanted water in order to somehow ease the flooding.

In Pampanga, some areas particularly in the second and fourth districts are still flooded, even chestdeep, inconveniencing residents and schoolchildren who had to stay out of school due to incessant rains and subsequent flooding.

Bulacan, Pampanga and Pangasinan also experienced sustained flooding and residents had to make use of bancas in order to carry on their everyday activities.

Of course, there are more several LPAs or low pressure areas threatening our country in the next few days. What else is new?

In Mabalacat City, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is always prepared for the worst scenarios which may visit this elevated city. Headed by Jeffrey Santos, this office is ready at all times to assist probable victims of calamities and, God forbid, accidents.

Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo is proactive in guiding the office in its tasks and provides adequate resources for any eventuality. As always he is ready to marshall the city’s funds and manpower to address any and all weather concer ns.

Now, the newly-created Department of Disaster Resiliency should take care of all our concerns and issues regarding calamities and properly and adequately address them.