Strategies for disaster-risk reduction

With the recent death toll topping 1,000 and many more missing in Mindanao and some parts of the Visayas, we express our deep sadness and humble compassion for all affected by Tropical Storm “Sendong.” The worst-hit areas were the densely populated, vulnerable settlements in Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, Iligan City in Lanao del Norte, and the towns of Libona, Baungon, and riverside villages of Valencia City in Bukidnon.

We are grateful to see the numerous relief efforts underway, locally and internationally. Many groups and individuals are reaching out to others, providing food, dry clothes and water, as we respond to the devastation in people’s lives.

But there is also a clear call to go beyond the prevailing compassion deepened with prayers that reflect only the acceptance and appeal for God’s protection.  The call is for us not to ignore the graces and intelligence we have and to use these to take strategic actions that are well-thought out.

Sadly and unfortunately, we are not heeding this call.

Twenty years ago, Ormoc City was hit and around 8,000 perished. This was a sign of things to come, and many disasters have since struck.

Two years ago, Metro Manila, Central and Northern Luzon were severely hit by flash floods and landslides as Storm “Ondoy” and Typhoon “Pepeng” passed through the country and official casualties reached more than 400. Typhoon “Frank” devastated Iloilo in 2008. Sendong was the one-in-ten-year typhoon to go through Mindanao. We know all these things are going to happen but we are never able to change our culture of disregard for the future and to form an effective strategy of adaptation.

It is no longer a time for raising awareness of our vulnerability to the impact of typhoons. We are aware. This latest disaster is not providing us with new scientific lessons to be learned. We have experienced this tragedy before and many times over. We were provided with information and public warnings about Sendong three days before. Knowledge-wise, everything is in place, but there is a severe and tragic vacuum of strategic knowledge to undertake the needed action, implement change and make our society safer.

We refuse to take responsibility in implementing the required engineering, land zoning, infrastructure planning and sustainable relocation of people. We build over, across, beside waterways. We obstruct, constrict, deflect river flows. We engage in riverside beautification projects that are now pummeled concrete.

Work for the common good is within our social and democratic ambit, yet out of arm’s reach because we do not flex enough our capacity to implement the needed changes in our society. We need to develop a set of demands for major risk reduction. We can reduce the risk. We cannot turn away again from this challenge that includes the following strategic measures of reducing the risks due to flash flooding:

Emergency preparedness. A warning system on every typhoon in every area of potential risk must be put in place, and not just announced. A day or night evacuation strategy must carefully lay out the locations, paths and methods to reach safe areas for evacuation and temporary settlement.

Relocation and land allocation. A critical review and implementation of land allocation and securing access are vitally needed to assist city and local governments in identifying safe lands for settlements and the procedures for acquisition. A prioritized relocation plan for every city and barangay that sets accomplishments is imperative. This plan should not be simply mitigation activities, like developing and rebuilding infrastructure that will not withstand the next disaster. A sustainable relocation must consider people’s livelihood accessibility so that livelihood is sustained and risks are minimized.

Landscape and waterscape planning and development. An open, transparent planning process for infrastructure development is crucial with broad participation of key people, especially in critical areas of river banks, slopes and floodplains.

Floodplain management. To re-establish natural flood areas, we need to develop a floodplain management program and regulations that strictly enforce restrictions and controls in: the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers that channel floodwaters; developments that increase flood damage; and construction of flood barriers that unnaturally divert floodwaters and increase flood hazards in other areas.

We need a society that can value life and change its systems of relations and responsibilities to meet new basic needs. Transformative learning has to become a new adult literacy that moves to action beyond bayanihan, expanding this Filipino value and infusing an informed pro-activeness that changes our landscape for the good of all. This includes serious planning for a sustainable future that integrates the knowledge of the disaster potential and local realities.

Pedro Walpole, SJ, is executive director of Environmental Science for Social Change and Roberto C. Yap, SJ, is president of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.