RP remains ill-equipped in dealing with disasters

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ disaster preparedness and management measures remain deficient despite claims that the country has learned its lesson from previous typhoons, a multinational risk consultancy firm said.

In a report dated Nov. 1, the Pacific Strategies and Assessments (PSA) said claims that the Philippines had achieved progress in disaster preparedness are “misleading.”

“As with most everything in the Philippines, there is a gaping disconnect between what is being proclaimed by politicians and bureaucrats as progress and ground truth realism,” PSA said.

“The reality remains that, despite government pretentiousness, the country remains ill-prepared and ill-equipped to deal with the majority of disaster or crisis situations,” it added.

PSA has offices in Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Bangkok, Milwaukee and Sydney.

The report cited the statement of a World Health Organization official who was quoted as saying that the Philippines “is actually the leader in terms of preparedness.”

It also mentioned an earlier statement of President Aquino, who claimed that the thorough preparations of agencies are in marked contrast to the official helplessness of the past.”

PSA said there was no “significant headway” in complying with the recommendations of groups that conducted a post-disaster assessment on the effect of previous typhoons.

It cited a post-disaster needs assessment of the World Bank and other groups which recommended the giving of significant attention to land use planning, housing, water management, and environmental protection.

“Any credible and impartial assessment would support the fact that there has been no observable or significant headway in any of these areas,” PSA said.

Typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” hit the country last year, killing close to 1,000 people and damaging almost P40-billion worth of property.

PSA said there is still “a blatant lack of government resources and coordination” between national and local disaster management officials to properly exploit international assistance.

PSA said one of its sources reported that since many cellular towers were toppled by typhoon “Megi” (known locally as “Juan”), all government and emergency communication between Manila and Northern Luzon was cut off and responders were forced to fend entirely for themselves.

Typhoon Juan left more than 20 people dead and more than 30 others injured despite the government’s zero-casualty goal.

PSA said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology “have limited capabilities to issue on-time and accurate early disaster warnings.”

It added that the agencies are “largely underequipped and understaffed” due to funding constraints.

PSA said such problems will be more evident when disaster conditions develop more rapidly than typhoon Megi. The report said Metro Manila, which generates one third of the country’s gross domestic product, is most vulnerable to major disasters.

“Any disaster event that strikes directly at the capital would still have a devastating social and economic impact on the entire country,” PSA said.  –Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star)