Monday, March 14, 2011

Are we ready? That is the question.

As the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami hits Japan, the world’s third economic country, on Friday, the world has glued itself on the television screens, newspapers and online news feeds to receive recent updates and news about the calamity stricken country. International relief operations were coordinated by the United Nations and hoax or no hoax, the Philippines has taken precautions against might-be radiation infused rain and such, due to the blasts in nuclear power plants in Japan caused by the earthquake and tsunami.

As a country that is often hit by earthquakes, the Japanese were prepared. Devastating as it is, many families were able to survive to a certain extent by reserved water and food supply, in case of emergencies.

“The people were very disciplined, very organized during the evacuation and their rescue personnel responded quickly, with most, if not all, knowing their roles” said Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro shared in an Inquirer article dated March 15, 2011.

And the question popped out of nowhere. Is the Philippines prepared to face such calamity? Possibilities have been proven, time and again, to be endless. Many of the Filipinos may dismiss the possibility of a tsunami, or an equally devastating calamity, hitting our country soon. But is it not this mentally that left our country vulnerable to numerous “accidents” in the past?

Furthermore, majority of the citizens in the urban poor and rural areas are not well informed of the necessary actions that they need to take in times of calamity. And as a domino effect, the lack of well communicated precautions and information causes panic, which in effect renders the people either impulsive or immobile.

What do you think should be done?

Disaster preparedness seminars have proliferated in the metro since the country has been devastated by Pepeng and Ondoy in the latter months of 2009. Efforts have been made to have a uniform and viral move towards disaster information and preparedness in the urban poor and secluded areas in the country.

 These efforts have been lauded, but it doesn’t have to end there. The move has to continue to move forward and continue to educate and inform more and more of our citizens to be equipped and well-versed in times of great need.

With that said, the citizenry is merely a part of a greater whole. The local government units, state departments, non-governmental organizations, independent companies and other agencies should also be informed and trained to act accordingly in times of calamity, because the amount of well trained personnel may compensate for our lack of equipment. If more people are prepared, more lives could be saved. 

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