Brothers and sisters, we have long been experiencing La Niña in these past weeks when strong typhoons have made landfall in our country, especially in Luzon.
Supertyphoon Rolly devastated our lands just after Typhoon Quinta damaged the areas in its path. According to the NDRRMC, 16 people perished because of the storm surges. DPWH estimates around P58 million in damages on roads and bridges caused by the typhoons. Some houses in Batangas were smashed by strong winds, and hectares of crops in Oriental Mindoro, amounting to over P500 million, were destroyed. Over 150,000 people needed to take shelter in evacuation centers where in some areas are not allowed due to social distancing.
Before Typhoon Quinta, a large part of Luzon was also affected by Typhoons Pepito and Ofel. The damage they caused—roads blocked because of erosions, communities sunk from floods, and farmlands that looked like the sea, areas covered in mud, passengers stranded in docks, and families that spent nights in evacuation sites—were severe.
These are the stories that Filipinos tell every time a natural calamity occurs. And it seems to be difficult for our government to address the needs of everyone affected, especially during this time when Covid-19 cases continue to rise. But this must not be a reason for the delay in providing help for our fellowmen who lost their homes and livelihoods. We must continue fixing damaged roads and bridges, and taking precautions for other incoming typhoons during this season of La Niña.
We must not rely on what we call Filipino resilience alone that we can remain positive and happy despite the suffering we and our families experience during calamities. There is no direct term for the word resilience in Filipino, but this will not define one form of disposition. Resilience, in the context of climate change, is having an appropriate plan to prepare for calamities (like typhoons) and actions to reduce the risks brought by these calamities to better care for the lives of the people, like their livelihoods, the environment, and many more.
In times of crises brought by calamities, it is heartening to see various groups providing help for our affected fellowmen. This embodies what is said in the book of Hebrews 13:16, “And do not forget to do well and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” But this isn’t enough for us to say we are resilient.
There is resilience when families have sturdy homes in safe and well-placed areas. Another part of resilience is providing infrastructure that stops floods and landslides, ensuring that communities have ample supply of water, helping families have access to adequate medical services if anyone of them gets sick, and ensuring financial services for those who wish to develop their livelihoods that were destroyed by typhoons. Resilience is rooted in addressing the suffering of society, like what Pope Francis explains in Laudato Si’, that many people suffer because they lack resources to be able to face the problems and effects brought about by calamity.
Brothers and sisters, if our government can dedicate a large amount of funding for dumping fake sand on manila Bay or to buy high-tech airplane for the President, it should be able to allot funds for long-term solutions to mitigate the effects of calamities.
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