The ones closest must be the most ready

In whatever emergency, the first mission of any government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens. But regardless of how prepared government is to provide assistance in an emergency, there will always be inadequacies. With what we saw in the aftermath of Ondoy, it is obvious that the local governments, down to the barangays, must be prepared and be provided with the facilities needed to cope with the initial impact of disasters and emergencies.

By the very nature of emergencies and disasters, waiting for help to come from the national government, with the time and space factors involved, could indeed cost lives, even if such help is dispatched promptly.

The Philippines is susceptible to all kinds of tropical disturbances that can be life-threatening not only to those who live along the coasts but also inland. When a storm strikes, help from the national government may not immediately be available. Local governments should be prepared to bear the initial responsibility of responding to the impacts of a storm to protect lives and property. All public officials have the duty and responsibility to make such preparations, to ensure that their localities are prepared, to the best of their abilities, for any emergency or potential disaster.

Storms can be predicted with considerable accuracy by Pagasa. So local governments can plan and prepare for storms to minimize casualties and property damage. Programs could be implemented to reduce the adverse impacts caused by flooding like making sure drainage systems are not clogged. Shelter, water, food, could be readied to those who would be displaced by floods. Vehicles including rubber boats that can be used for evacuation must be readied.

We saw that with widespread flooding caused by Ondoy, even the amphibious force of the Red Cross and the Armed Forces combined had a hard time rescuing all those who needed rescue. After hours of waiting for rescue that never came, the residents affected by heavy flooding started contacting media and other people for help.

Instead of the hundreds of thousands of pesos wasted on useless purchases, the national and local governments must have more amphibious vehicles that can be used in emergencies. This much is obvious now.

Barangays officials must also have checklists to serve as guides for actions to be taken as a storm approaches. This checklist must include not only the provision of basic resources but a “who/what/where/when” coordinated list of responses and functions. They are the ones closest to the action, the best informed, and the most likely and immediately able to help.

Emergency loans

When a disaster like that caused by Ondoy strikes, many people, including businessmen and uninsured homeowners, turn to the government for help in rebuilding their lives.

A disaster loan program must be made available through the agencies of government.

The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), or the Pag-IBIG Fund, announced on Sunday it is open to accept applications for calamity loans for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

Vice President Noli de Castro, chairman of the HDMF board of trustees, directed all fund offices to prioritize the processing of applications from affected members.

The Social Security System (SSS) said it was not offering calamity loans per se, but members could apply for salary loans, with a commitment to process them speedily.

What about the Government Service Insurance System? Before, government workers could readily access calamity loans from the GSIS. These loans must be made available in the aftermath of Ondoy.

Loan officers of these agencies must be present at relief or assistance centers to process loan applications and cut the red tape.

Even as the government conducts immediate relief efforts from clearing debris to providing food and shelter and emergency money grants to needy families, these disaster or emergency loans must be made available in order to help citizens affected by the storm get back on their feet.

These loans are essential especially to small business owners and homeowners seeking to replace uninsured personal property and cover the uninsured costs of rebuilding their homes and establishments.

The need to provide quick loans for disaster victims must be balanced by safeguards and internal controls so that the money available will not be subject to corruption.

Pag-ibig members can file their loan applications at the Pag-IBIG office nearest them. They only have 90 days from the occurrence of the calamity within which to apply for and avail themselves of loans.

Under the fund’s Calamity Loan Program, Pag-IBIG members can borrow up to 80 percent of their total accumulated savings, with an interest rate of 10.75 percent per annum. The loan has a five-month grace period and is payable in 24 months.

To qualify, applicants must be residents of localities declared as calamity areas, who have paid at least 24 monthly contributions, and are active members at the time of application.

For inquiries about the Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan Program, members in the NCR can call the HDMF Call Center at 724-4244 or the nearest branch in their area.

ernestboyherrera@yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. –Ernesto F. Herrera, Manila Times