WHEN IT RAINS…

…it floods. At least in recent times in Davao City.

Davao has been dealing with massive floods in the first six months of each year, three years running.

On June 29, 2011 a flashflood caused by the overflow of the Pangi River inundated the areas of Matina Aplaya, Matina Pangi, Balusong and NHA Bangkal killing around 17 people, damaging properties, and stranding many.

Come February 6, 2012 a heavy downpour put many areas in downtown Davao City underwater.

On January 20, 2013 the Davao, Lasang, Lipadas and Talomo Rivers spilled over causing the displacement of 43,000 individuals according to a MindaNews report.

No wonder then that a prolonged downpour sends people checking on the situation and whereabouts of family and friends.

It used to be that Davao could tack on “flood-free” as an extension of “typhoon-free” among its attributes. But the operative phrase that seems to be current, accurate and applicable to most things is precisely this – “it used to be”.

Things change, the climate amongst them. Some changes we can manage and I guess that’s why there’s change management as a discipline. But other kinds of changes, we can’t even pretend to manage. For those types, we can only adapt.

Which explains climate change adaptation, rather than climate change management.

I think those involved in dealing with pain should rethink the concept “pain management”. Some pains we can manage. Others, well we will just have to adapt.

But I digress. How have we adapted to the reality of flooding in Davao City? The City’s disaster risk reduction and management measures are among the most responsive in the country (pwera buyag ug sa wa’y pabor-pabor).

But one’s capacity and performance in DRRM are measured not by the last event but by the next one. And there will always be a next one. And how about citizens You, Me and Us Together? How are we adapting?

To be sure a range of solutions are required involving many actors. From clear policies that will define overall directions, roles and accountabilities, to strategies that can be translated into programs, projects and services that are appropriately resourced, to individual, family and community priorities and decisions. Top of mind are the concerns that have been raised time and again: a functioning sewerage system, preventing build-up in danger zones, stabilizing riverbanks, and reforestation. (Add your favored solution here.)

When it comes to disasters we can’t be complacent. Everyone lives downstream. Even the ones who live in houses built with strong and longlasting materials and have second or even third floors.

Let’s not be afraid of the solutions that are meant to secure the long-term, even if they are inconvenient, even painful, and invariably expensive. Resilience does not come cheaply; and the costs aren’t always monetary.

But the aforementioned points aren’t the only ones I am trying to make.

The real point being that sometimes when it rains, it just rains. And then the sun will come out soon enough. It always does. (Big smile here.)