What do you think about the Philippine government's response to the five storms that have pounded the Philippines in the past few weeks?

Lily Hidalgo

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Former Part- Time Independent Consultant Mon

What do you think about the Philippine government's response to the five storms that have pounded the Philippines in the past few weeks?

IN MY AREA

Something new:

• The national government, a few Metro Manila cities & a number of local governments in the region: the 2nd devastating typhoon —rapid response in my provincial hometown city 2/3 of which was submerged in flood for 3 days. For a week, heavy equipments, water tanks, street cleaners clear/ clean up the mounds of garbage/ flood debris, thick mud from the street & storm drain/ street gutters etc

• With expected 3rd super typhoon mid- oct, city carried out wide/ intensive information (radio, social media, mobile van & team of 3 policemen with megaphone walking the streets) for vulnerable residents to evacuate to designated public evacuation centers, no rescue missions will be conducted after, enforcement of curfew to keep people indoors & lawless elements off the streets (who had been prowling identifying homes/ buildings they will occupy in the guise of seeking shelter).

Something old

The earlier typhoon in sept flooded the usual low- lying areas/ communities of the city , receded in 12 hours & business as usual.

The second (early lct) — submerged 2/3 of the city (all of the urban core) for 3- 4 days, while other areas/ communities remained isolated days after. Everybody was caught flatfooted & unprepared as the city & nearby towns were forecasted as not within the eye wall of the typhoon. However, it carried heavy torrential rain with wide rain band, a speed of 10 km/ hr & remained stationary for hours, pummelling the city & nearby municipalities with 400mm of rain in 2 days (equivalent to more than a month of rainfall).

• The local government/ city announced evacuation (usual pronouncements with approaching typhoon) but not intensively conveyed & widely disseminated to the communities.
• Deluge of calls for rescue as the typhoon approached — over the radio & social media calling for rescue with quick rising floods. But city has no boats & calls for private & military heavy duty logistic trucks in deep floodwaters remained unheeded.
• Irresponsible interior migrants/ squatters communities dumping their DAILY garbage & wastes ESP BEFORE & AFTER flooding at the main thoroughfare (corner of our residence) instead of making representations for the city re garbage collection IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS! In past recent typhoon, the flood dispersed the mound of garbage ALL OVER THE FRONT OF OUR RESIDENCE that was cleared after days of stinking decaying smell including (human faeces) that even the male street sweeper won’t go near. The old deeply- seated notorious local behavior of dumping trash at someone else’s domain for disposal. The deviant Fil character of NO personal commitment & obligation as a citizen for the SELF & the common public good & interest. Passing the buck…!!! (I spray disinfectant in our house everyday, I have colds & my sinus is unforgiving! The windows & doors are all closed!)