The Philippines is also known as one of the countries with the most number of typhoons every year. It is prone to a tropical cyclone due to its geographical location that creates heavy rains and strong winds. Typhoons in the Philippines are already a usual occurrence. It happens about 15-20 times a year.

Many Filipinos are already adopted in the situation because it always happens and occurs in the country. But for some reason, many of them are being stubborn and hard-headed. Instead of preparing for upcoming calamity, they are busy chatting and loitering around. While another responsible citizen is doing their best to stay inside, waiting for further announcements and preparing for their needs during the storm.

Typhoon preparedness checklists

• Stay indoors, keep calm, and pray.

• Listen to the radio and tv for further announcements.

• Arrange the legal and other valuable documents in a safe place.

• Prepare food packs(bread, canned goods, etc), water, and first aid kit supplies that could last for 2-3 days.

• Trim or cut trees near your house if you can.

• Save and take notes of phone numbers in case of an emergency.

• Unplug home appliances if necessary.

• Fully charges your cellphone and avoid using it to save battery.

• Flashlight and whistle to signal for help.

• Go to the near evacuation center if needed.

• Don't panic. Take a deep breath. Keep calm and pray again.

Natural calamities are unstoppable but if we can work out something to reduce the damage we must support each other to establish a project to control tremendous trauma, damage, and devastation. Follow the rules and protocols of the community. Planting more trees can help prevents flooding and landslide during and after cyclones. Awareness and preparedness can lower the risk of human devastation.

What is the advantage of being prepared?

Preparedness for calamities is a means of preventing and decreasing the loss of human life and properties. It helps us to lower fear, panic, and distress.

What to do right after the disaster?

• Check everyone and make sure they are safe. If somebody is injured give them some first aid.

• If you are in an evacuation center, check your house before moving out. If your house is standing still and no damage, make sure it's clean and safe to move in.

• Ask for help if necessary.

• Stay out of the area of floods and landslide.

• Avoid using wet appliances and stay away from open lines or fallen power wires.

• Check water before usage or much better to boil it for about 20-30 minutes to make sure it is safe to drink.

• Help or volunteer in your area to clean off the road.

• Assess your mental and emotional health. Think positive views avoid unnecessary thoughts. You can restart again. Life is what matters the most.

Mostly the public and private organizations are providing relief operations and assistance (foods, canned goods, clothes, and other necessities) right after the disaster. They provide temporary shelter to those who lost their house and unable to go back to their property. It helps to decrease collision and burden to humans and properties. Recovery is the hardest part and a big impact on human life after cyclones. Especially to those who lost their loved ones, pets, important documents, and their way of living and properties. The trauma on children that do not subside easily is also difficult to address. Many organizations are helping affected areas but the biggest problem is the government sector that controls the flow of relief operations. The corrupt official that holds foods and financial assistance causing more trouble. Political issues the most crucial cause of poverty and starvation.

We can always start a brand new life as nothing happened before. We need to stand for our family's survival. Let us help and pray for each other safety. Let's keep in mind that there's hope in every circumstance.