Typhoon Ketsana, known in the Philippines as tropical storm Ondoy, was the second most devastating tropical cyclone of 2009 Pacific typhoon season, causing $1.15 billion in damages and 921 facilities, only behind Morakot earlier in the season, which caused 798 deaths and damages worth $6.2 billion. Source: WIKIPEDIA
Happened last September 26, 2009, Metro Manila and other provinces hit by this typhoon. Widespread flooding across the land occurred. There are many casualties. There are many damages in agricultural branch and infrastructures.
Here in our place, since we live in an isle, we experienced high level of water from the lake. Houses near the shore drowned for at least waist level, for about three months. People made wood bridge in going in and out their houses. Local Government Unit (LGU) sent food packs for the barangay. It consists of rice, noodle packs, canned goods, biscuits, and bottled water. Some houses destroyed by the typhoon. The roofs were removed. As I remember, there is one house that is newly built which got destroyed and wrecked out due to heavy rainfall and strong winds. The owner cried a lot because of the money they spent in building the house was loaned from micro-lending business and they will pay it in installment for about two years, and now it’s gone. I pitied much in her.
Because of that instance, LGU had made a cash-for-work project. It’s main objective is to help the locals to move on with their lives. There are seminars and orientations about what to do before, during, and after typhoon. There is a 10-day cash-for-work program wherein one person per family is entitled to. Each day, that person should help in sweeping and cleaning the barangay then they will have 200 pesos in return. Well, it’s not enough for a daily basis consumption but it’s a big help for everyone. before we start on the said activity, we will meet up in front of the church then we will pray and the leader will have a short briefing, there is also an attendance checking. If you’re not present on that specific date, then of course you won’t be paid 200 pesos. On the tenth day, we had tree planting. It was such a wonderful activity. It is one of the reasons for us to have a good temperature and balance ecosystem. I felt proud when I planted a tree, this little initiative. I know it will be a big help when time comes. Three long months before water level went back to normal. Elderly told us that they lived here for a long time and that is the vey first time that thing happened. I don’t see any reason rather than it’s because of climate change and global warming (I just wrote and tackled the two in my previous articles).
The roof of our barangay hall was moved off and some fishing boats was destroyed also by Ondoy. Barangay officials repaired the roof while owners of boat spent more in repairing their boats because it is necessary for their job. We didn’t have electric supply for about a week. The good thing is our neighbor had a generator and they allowed us in charging our cellphones so we can communicate with our family and relatives in other places to let them know that we are okay and safe.
Seminars and orientations during that time let’s me know that there is a government sector that is responsible in informing people when there is a disaster, it is the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), which is formerly known as the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). The NDRRMC plans and leads the guiding activities in the field of communication, warning signals, emergency, transportation, evacuation, rescue, engineering, health and rehabilitation, public education and auxiliary services such as firefighting and the police in the country.
This is what I learned from the seminar:
The Philippine Storm Warning Signals
Public storm signals are raised to warm the public of incoming weather disturbances. Once a storm signal is raised, conditions are not yet necessarily felt in the given area. The following are the lead times for issuing a public storm signal.
The weather disturbance is expected in 36 hours once Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 is raised.
The weather disturbance is expected in 24 hours once Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 is raised.
The weather disturbance is expected in 18 hours once Public Storm Warning Signal No. 3 is raised.
The weather disturbance is expected in 12 hours once Public Storm Warning Signal No. 4 is raised.
Lead the time shortens if a new weather bulletin is issued and the area’s Public Storm Signal Warning remains the same.
As the weather disturbance moves through the Philippine are of Responsibility (PAR), public storm signal may be upgraded or downgraded.
An area’s given signal number is based on the intensity, size of circulation and the forecast direction, and speed of the tropical storm or typhoon when the public storm signal is raised. Changes in intensity, size of circulation, or movement of the tropical cyclone also determines the change of the public storm warning signal in each area.
Theses knowledgeable statements that I jot down on that said seminar 12 years ago was written on my notebook. I just shared it in the article for some purposes. I know that not all people know and understands such things and through this article of mine, it may be a help though we have many resources this time with just one click in our cellphone, or laptop, tablet, or computer, you can see as such, but one may not be interested in such topic but others who belong to this read.cash family, may find time in reading this article and I know I can impart a little knowledge. This can also be an awareness campaign for everyone who can read this article.
