Disasters, vulnerability, and resilience

I read Anna Cristina Tuazon’s article titled “Disasters expose our vulnerability,” (6/11/26), where she highlights vulnerabilities that must be addressed during disasters—physical, psychological, and structural. Her line that “disasters expose not just the cracks in the building but the cracks in our resilience,” captures how disasters reveal weaknesses not only in infrastructure but also in our capacity to cope, adapt, and recover.

While these vulnerabilities can either strengthen our resilience or break our spirit, disasters remind us of how fragile we truly are. Ignoring these realities is tantamount to disregarding the lessons of our collective experience as a nation constantly confronted by disasters.

The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly prone to earthquakes and other geological hazards. Just recently, a strong earthquake struck Mindanao. The event again exposed safety protocols that are often overlooked until tragedy occurs. Although years of experience have catalyzed improvements in disaster preparedness, no society is immune to the devastating effects of natural hazards. In fact, complacency remains the greatest danger, as it creates the false belief that disasters will not happen again.

As we reflect on these recurring events, we may lament the loss and destruction they bring. However, these experiences also teach us valuable lessons about preparedness, solidarity, and resilience. More importantly, they remind us that building safer communities requires commitment, vigilance, and longevity in our macro efforts to cement preparedness, reduce vulnerabilities, and protect future generations, as corroborated by our collective experiences with disasters.

Jhon Steven C. Espenido,

Surigao City