Start getting ready for more floods, say experts

Government agencies must move from a disaster response mentality to a culture of preparation and prevention, planning experts say.

May C. Vincente, head of map making at the Manila Observatory told UCA News that years of neglect and lack of planning and mapping were the reason the floods were so severe.

“Whether these floods re-occur or not will depend on people finally making up a flood plan at a local and a regional level,” she said.

Manila and Luzon were hit by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng (International names Ketsana and Parma)

The out going administration of President Gloria Arroyo is preparing to integrate in one database all existing flood warning, monitoring and forecasting systems in Luzon and Manila.

Ricardo Saludo, the presidential spokesperson says the database will help better prepare vulnerable communities and individuals for disasters like the two typhoons that hit the country last September.

Critics say that while the government has been working to relocate thousands of families along potential flood areas before the typhoon season starts in June, they should be more active in raising awareness on disaster prevention.

The Manila-based Citizens’ Disaster Response Center, Inc. (CDRC) launched recently a seminar for risk reduction for residents in 24 landslide and flood-prone communities in seven municipalities and three cities in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Lourdes Louella Escandor, CDRC’s Executive Director said his organization hopes to contribute to the overall risk preparedness through trainings, formation of disaster preparedness committees, tree planting, and backyard gardening.

PM09865/1603 May 28, 2010 (360 words)

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