We are a bullseye for natural disasters

While the tragedy that has befallen many of our Filipino families overwhelms me, the countless acts of kindness from individuals, as well as humanitarian organizations I am involved with, inspire me.  

 

In an odd but profound way, every natural disaster has the effect of momentarily restoring my faith in our people and humanity in general. Super Typhoon Yolanda is no exception. 

 

Perhaps it's because natural disasters are no respecters of persons regardless of their race, religion, class, or politics. Perhaps it is because every natural disaster reminds us that we are all in the “same boat.” Perhaps it is because every natural disaster makes us realize that what unites us is more important than what divides us. Perhaps it is because every natural disaster renders our collective efforts in the end with what is beautifully “human.”

That is, we simply care for each other with “no strings attached.”

 

I must confess that I am always a sucker for “human” moments like these. And I truly treasure them. Yet I know they are short lived and fleeting. 

 

Without fail, the government or media attention paid to every terrible disaster will wax and eventually wane. Sooner or later, the families who were affected will soon be forgotten. Without recourse, they have to move on and start anew their fractured and tattered lives with whatever meager resources they possess.

Hopefully, their memories will be less painful as time goes by.      
 

I wish that such a tragedy doesn't happen again but it is just that---wishful thinking. The reality is that our predicament is cyclical and one that it is our destiny to deal with. If there is one thing that we must courageously face about the Philippine condition, it is the immutable fact of our geography.

Located along the “Pacific Typhoon Belt” and the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” if this were a dart board, our country is the bullseye for natural disasters! 

 

As one of the most exposed countries in the world, we are vulnerable to typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Compounding its vulnerability is a host of man-made environmental problems that contribute to the high-susceptibility of its towns, cities, and provinces -- particularly along the coastline -- to storm surges, landslides, flashfloods, as well as drought.

 

Given our reality in the cycle of disaster, there is nothing we can do to stop these phenomena. We can only wait for them to come. We must expect them. This is our fate. 

 

However, while we we can't stop them, there is something that we CAN do and do well: we can mitigate their negative impact on our future and our lives, properties, and economy, through the use of disaster planning strategies. 

 

This means that our local governments must institutionalize the element of disaster planning in each of their master plans. Each master plan must pursue disaster planning-related policies and actions that can be implemented over the long term to minimize risk and future losses, as well as reduce the cycle of repeated damages and reconstruction costs associated with natural disasters.

 

Incorporating the element of disaster planning for every master plan is actually simple and doable. Let me start with two conceptual foundations that local governments can do immediately. 

 

First, all local governments must engage in risk assessment. Each local government must identify high-risk areas based on history, projection of frequency and magnitude of disasters, and potential losses of life and property. The assessment must include the natural environment and the built environment including, but not limited to, natural buffer areas such as wetlands, floodplains, and sensitive habitats; types and numbers of existing buildings, infrastructure, and critical facilities near identified disaster-prone areas.

 

Second, the local government must involve the public in the planning process and solicit consensus from the various sectors and interests of the community. Community-wide support is essential in prioritizing the implementation of critical actions intended to mitigate extreme wind, water, or earthquake events (i.e., education and awareness; construction of early disaster warning systems; regulatory tools including stringent zoning/rezoning and subdivision regulations, and building codes; environmental protection including but not limited to mandatory reforestation, wetland restoration, and watershed protection; construction of poly-functional evacuation centers, poly-functional elevated protective seawalls, and  flood control channels and reservoirs; or retrofitting of public buildings, schools, and health facilities).

 

It is my thinking that the benefits derived from this type of planning cannot be underestimated or ignored, especially in a country frequently visited by natural disasters.  

 

I am sure that there are more planning actions that local governments can get involved with.  Whatever they may be, as long as they are implemented they will reduce loss of lives and properties from natural disasters. I welcome and support them.  

 

I don’t want my thoughts on this to be misconstrued as flippant, especially regarding the devastation of many areas in the Philippines, but I do see the total destruction of a community like Tacloban City as a unique and incipient opportunity for disaster planning in the country.

 

Can we rebuild a city in a different but well-planned manner? Yes, we can.

Do we have the capabilities for this, both public and private? Yes, we do.

Do we have the crucial energy and resources to support its success? Yes, we do.

Will we do it? That, I do not know. — KDM, GMA News

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Efren N. Padilla is a professor and director of Urban Studies Program at California State University at East Bay.  He is also an urban and regional planning consultant. Send feedback to: efren.padilla@csueastbay.edu