Frequent typhoons should make us wiser

Four "super" typhoons in four months hit the country this year, the most recent being Reming (International codename: Durian). The Philippines’ location in the northwestern Pacific puts it right in the pathway of typhoon generators. It is usually the first to be hit by typhoons before they go to China, Taiwan and Japan, according to senior weather specialist of the Philippine weather bureau, Thelma Cinco. Bicol region has distinctly earned a reputation as the first to be hit by the most destructive calamities. In fact it is the same region that was devastated by typhoons Milenyo and Paeng.

Despite the preparations made by the government and the prompt and timely forecast of Pagasa, high death tolls and destruction could not be avoided. Reming, with winds bearing strength of 265 kph (165 mph), hit the Bicol region again the hardest, bringing heavy rains and strong winds that destabilized the slopes of Mayon volcano. Mud and boulders crushed on people and houses in its path. A report said rescuers found many of those killed had been torn to pieces and entire villages lay buried beneath thick, black volcanic mud. In its latest report, the National Disaster Coordinating Center stated that 309 bodies had been retrieved and 298 people remain missing three days after Typhoon Reming struck. Rescue workers began burying landslide victims in a mass grave on Sunday as officials warned that the death toll was likely to rise to more than 400. "There are many unidentified bodies with a lot more buried. Whole families may have been wiped out," Philippine National Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon also reported.

Gene Villareal, an Albay official buried the bodies in a mass grave to avoid an epidemic. More than 40,000 people were estimated to be displaced and rendered homeless by the mudslides. Phone towers and power lines were knocked down, plunging the whole region into darkness. More than 120,000 homes and vehicles were destroyed and many trees again uprooted. The whole province was totally devastated.

How can the Philippines effectively deal with typhoons, knowing that it is right in the pathway of brewing storms? In particular, after being the hardest hit by three strong typhoons this year alone, how can the Bicol region effectively protect its people and resources from destructive calamities, not to mention the threats pose by an active Mayon volcano? All the governors and local officials of the Bicol region should put together a comprehensive disaster plan to prevent any destruction to lives and property again. They could, for example, include the construction of safe structures that could slow down the strength of gusty winds. Or, perhaps, they can consider totally vacating people from portions of lands in slopes and mountainous areas like Mayon and put barricades if needed to prevent habitation. They should invest in a drainage system that will effectively drain water and prevent floods. Local governments must be required to write down a workable plan that includes all these, plus information dissemination and education involving its communities, making sure that all the local folks are made aware of disaster preparedness. The most important part is for them not just to plan but to implement and to do what is necessary, not just talk about it.