(Un) Moved

Wrecked. Damaged. Rummaged.

In the wake of natural disasters, Filipinos are continued to be challenged.

The most recent catastrophe is the Taal Volcano eruption which shook Batangas, Cavite, and parts of Laguna and Metro Manila on January 12, 2020. This destructive activity has marked another milieu of misfortune for the country.

Undeniably, Philippines always falls short in terms of precautionary measures. Permanent danger zones are not fully and properly enforced. Necessary warnings are not widely disseminated. Evacuation centers are not ubiquitous, and if there are, facilities are mediocre. Taking into consideration that the country is prone to natural disasters, we should have done better to prepare everything.

Amidst natural calamities, Filipino virtues are also tried in ordeal. It is frustrating to note that there are still people who take this fatal scenario we are into for granted, the overpricing of masks for instance. In addition, the expertise of PHILVOCS was also questioned by some. And hard- headed people persistently to go beyond the prohibited lines, walking into the valley of death.

Yet, during this difficult time, our spirit of Bayanihan and Volunteerism are demonstrated. Just as how the Taal Volcano erupted, help in the form of financial assistance and relief goods from other parts of the country and even the world also spouted. The Tulong Tulong sa Taal campaign of ABS- CBN accentuates that we face such menace together. Social media partakes a big role in the information dissemination and in the accumulation of help for the victims.

Given the country's unflattering description as prone to natural calamities, the creation of an agency to handle disaster management, mitigation and planning is of high importance. In lieu of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council which was found not to be as effective as it should be, there is a need for a government office or a department that is focused on long- term planning for disaster and rehabilitation.

Indeed, disasters are ineluctable, but the aftermath is controllable. That is if the government efficiently issues the necessary warning ahead of time, set up necessary evacuation centers across the country, offer transport for those willing to evacuate (people and livestock), and stop people from entering the prohibited zones regardless of reasons. All that we have to do as constituents is to be ready and to put our trust in the government.

Remember, we are Filipinos and we contain the Filipino spirit within us. We may be wrecked, damaged, and rummaged, but we are not dead. These past few weeks, we we really proved that we are not. We may be bowed, yes, but unmoved.