Most barangays still ill-prepared for another Yolanda, study shows

Echoing National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Alexander Pama's warnings last year, researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman found that the majority of the barangays included in their study on disaster risk reduction and management are still lacking in preparedness and that a paradigm shift has yet to take place.

 

The study, led by Professor Aleli Bawagan from the College of Social Work and Community Development and conducted from August 2014 to February 2015, looked at four barangays affected by Yolanda.

Focus on relief but safety ignored
 

The findings from the study indicated that much of the work after Yolanda hit was focused on emergency response—majority of resources went into relief operations and little was left over for rehabilitation and recovery.

This hindered the ability of communities to build back better and create infrastructures that can withstand future weather hazards. In addition, some people ignored safety standards and started construction in no-build zones. Pre-existing vulnerabilities such as limited livelihood opportunities and lack of proper infrastructure and sturdy housing were also left unaddressed.

Toothless laws

 

They also found that RA 10121 remains weakly implemented up until now. Local government units aren’t oriented in participatory and community-based approaches to DRRM. Locals then tend to wait for “experts” to arrive and start relief and recovery operations instead of becoming empowered themselves. Psychosocial support is also ignored in favor of providing physical relief, leaving many survivors unable to deal with their trauma.

 

In terms of overall strength, Yolanda is officially the fourth strongest tropical cyclone in world history, with an average strength of 314 kph at landfall. It left more than 6,000 people dead and required PHP 167.86 billion for rehabilitation. — TJD, GMA News