Disaster response needs major improvement

Disaster response in the context of the Philippines today still needs a lot of improvement, as what our kababayans had witnessed with the fury of Super Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda). To share his views is Felino C. Torrente, Jr., who sent an e-mail. Do read on.

“I would like to share my insights on your column entitled “Disaster Response Paralysis” ( The Philippine

STAR, Nov. 14, 2013, p. B-12) for indeed there was paralysis on the part of the government (and also on the part of typhoon victims) in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.

“What amazes me is that the media, both print and broadcast, were confused as to causes and reasons thereof. The media was confused because they did not both check on what they had reported prior to Nov. 8, 2013. I reviewed the newspapers from Nov. 4 until Nov. 17, and asked people from Northern Cebu, Leyte and Samar and from the reports and personal accounts. Let me summarized my findings.

“Since Nov. 4, both print and broadcast media, quoting PAGASA, Joint Typhoon Warning Center (US) and Japan Meteorological Agency, were already reporting of a monster or super typhoon, Haiyan or Yolanda, that will hit the country.

“Newspapers reported that in the Bicol Region, aside from suspending classes and offices, 500,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas, 1.2 million residents were evacuated from landslide prone areas and 200,000 people from flood prone areas.

In the Visayas, there had been no evacuation of people; classes and offices were suspended and the police together with rescue and emergency personnel were placed on heightened alert only. It was also reported that prior to the typhoon, a meeting of the NDRRMC presided by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa was held wherein the local government units were told to prepare for the coming typhoon.

“Apparently, the LGUs did not respond; or if there was one, it was lacking and ineffectual relative to the strength of a super typhoon. Even the residents in the Visayas appeared to have ignored the warnings for they did not reinforce their houses, and they just parked their cars and other vehicles along the road and open spaces.

“In the US, a categorical four or five hurricane would already call for a mass evacuation of people and thus, the massive traffic jams along interstate highways.

“What made the situation unfortunate was the fact that on Nov. 7, the day before the typhoon, the senate hearing of Janet Napoles and the whistle blowers was held. The broadcast media paid more attention to this hearing than the coming typhoon.

“All the big networks, ABS-CBN, GMA 7 and TV5, showed hours of the convoy of Napoles from Sta. Rosa all the way to the Senate. And even after the hearing ended at 4:30 p.m., political analysts, commentators and other personalities were put on the air to discuss what transpired during the proceedings.

“Senators particularly Miriam Defensor Santiago consumed so many hours of TV interviews. Even on the early hours of Nov. 8, the TV morning shows were still talking about the Napoles hearing. Comparatively, scant attention was given to typhoon Yolanda which was then fast approaching. The broadcast media must share the blame for this disaster.

“As regards ‘zero casualty,’ this is the mantra of Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay. Gov. Salceda can always aspire for zero casualty because of his dedicated preparation. Albay (and to some extent other Bicol provinces) really evacuated residents with pre-positioned relief goods and medicines, [and had prepared] their rescue and emergency personnel.

In fact, Gov. Salcedo was fully aware of the strength of the typhoon. He said on TV: “Sobra lakas ng bagyong ito, mahuhubaran tayo nito.” The national government and other LGUs also aspired for zero casualty but did not do anything in terms of sufficient preparation before the calamity struck.

“Lastly, the Filipinos are too dependent upon the government. In Vietnam, people are told to have provisions for three days before a typhoon and bring them to evacuation centers when told to evacuate.

“I just hope that our government and people will learn a lot from Typhoon Yolanda.”

Champions League (PCCL) National Collegiate Championship The first three years of Champions league competitions were limited to the top teams from UAAP, NCAA and CESAFI-Cebu. For the past seven years, more than 30 collegiate leagues from all over the country have joined the nationwide multi-level competitions. Champions and top ranking teams from their respective “mother leagues” compete in regional and qualifying games to earn seats in the succeeding levels of competition.

The Champions League 2013 National Collegiate Championship is on its 11th year of gathering together the best collegiate teams from Metro Manila and from different provinces. This year’s competition will again provide opportunities for teams to compete not only within the confines of their “mother leagues” but also with teams from other regions and most important with teams from major leagues in Manila.

The national collegiate championship features the Sweet 16 step-ladder phase where regional champions and qualified teams play knock-out games to advance to the final four stage. For this year, 44 teams out of total participants of 258 collegiate teams vied for seats in the Sweet 16 round. From this group four will advance to the final four where teams play one roundrobin to determine the top two teams that will play a best of three games series for the national title.

At stake in the national championship is the possession of the Manuel V. Pangilinan Perpetual Bronze Sculpture, the symbol of collegiate basketball supremacy, for one year. Engraved on the sculpture are the past national collegiate champions, UST Growling Tigers (2012), San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags (2011), ADMU Blue Eagles (2010, 2009 & 2007), DLSU Green Archers (2008), UE Warriors (2006 & 2003) and FEU Tamaraws (2005 & 2004).

For the 2013 championships, DLSU Green Archers, San Beda College Red Lions, Southwestern U Cobras, UST Growling Tigers, Letran Knights, FEU Tamaraws, SSC-R Golden Stags, NU Bulldogs, and UE Warriors, remain in contention to possess the Manuel V. Pangilinan Perpetual Bronze Sculpture.

PCCL spurs provincial leagues development PCCL executive director, coach Joe Lipa, in his recent report to the PCCL Board of Trustees, lauded the response by provincial leagues on the PCCL annual competitions and cited their efforts in the past years in developing and enhancing collegiate basketball standards at various localities.

ABS-CBN Sports also played a major role in broadening the scope of Champions League multi-level nationwide competitions. The television exposure given by the network has encouraged more leagues to participate and take the opportunity

to showcase the results of their sports programs.

All the remaining PCCL games for the 2013 championship will be aired live over ABS-CBN channel Studio 23 on Nov. 26, Dec. 2, 3, 10, 12. 16 and 17 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are also available from SM Ticket at SM outlets and at the gates of Ynares Sports Gym, Pasig City and FilOil Flying V Arena, San Juan City.

Visit the PCCL website (CollegiateChampionsLeague.net) for more details / information on the National Collegiate Championship and like our official Facebook fan page (Philippine College Champions League) and Follow us on Twitter (@ pccleague2013).

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.