Filipinos should not just focus on the storm winds

[MikeLigalig.com]

STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
House of Representatives

NDRRMC, LGUs WERE NOT READY FOR MARING

Storm Maring was deceptive; only signal number 1, but brought lots of floods

Filipinos should not just focus on the storm winds. The floods that follow the heavy rains are what really cause a lot of death and destruction along the path of storms.

This is partly why I filed House Bill 6072 entitled “Rationalized Cancellation and Suspension of Work and School Classes Act of 2017” which factors in flood warnings and rainfall as factors in decision-making on suspension of classes and work, as well as evacuations.

I ask my colleagues in the House and over at the Senate to expedite work on HB 6072.

Storm Maring showed we have not learned our lessons from Ondoy and Yolanda.

Maring had only a Storm Signal No. 1 and when it was at its strongest, it had only top gustiness of 80 kilometers per hour, but it brought a lot of rain.

When flooding is severe, government should suspend not just classes in schools and work in government offices, but also in private workplaces.

HB 6072 lays out the different gradations or levels of severity of factors and the matching responses.

It also seems that because Maring had only a Storm Signal No. 1 label, people did not prepare well for it and were not aware of the rainfall and floods it could bring.

Cities, towns, and barangays in the path of Maring were clearly not ready.

Something is wrong with the NDRRMC and the local DRRMCs. When will we ever learn?

Voters should also stop electing mayors and barangay officials who cannot save or keep their constituents out of dangers brought by storms, other disasters, and emergencies.  (END)