Disaster Preparedness

Two years ago, Davao City witnessed the devastating effects of the flashflood in Matina Pangi,  the worst disaster the city had so far.

Residents were unprepared thinking it was just the usual rainfall and not as devastating.  What happened was unexpected.  In a matter of seconds, people were trapped inside their houses, with no way of getting out except to tear off the roofs of their houses.  Lives were lost.

The effect was a gnawing feeling of a need to have a solid plan whenever natural calamities or disasters come.

Disasters, especially floods, are not a “wrath of God”, neither an event in every ten years only, nor an urban legend that a big ship passes by the small Matina Pangi river.  With climate change due to industrialization and our inadequate care or blatant neglect of the environment, we should not be surprised that a heavy downpour results to flooding.  Calamities are caused by unsustainable development that has not taken account of possible hazard impacts.

Hence, we need disaster prevention and mitigation to lessen hazard.  Prevention includes planting trees to prevent erosion, landslides and drought.  Mitigation includes heightened consciousness of the reality of today’s world and measures to reduce vulnerability to danger.  A pre and post disaster actions designed to keep the losses at the minimum is of utmost importance.

In this rainy season again, we remember that we can do a lot to prevent tragedies:  heightened awareness, assessment of danger zones, proper garbage disposal, dissemination of warning signals, identification of safe evacuation centers, program for quick response, recognition of possible resources, relief operations strategy, and a united community with a Bayanihan spirit working together to help the needy, to name a few.