By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated his call on the citizenry to remain on constant alert and exercise vigilant measures at all times amid calamities aggravated by the effects of climate change in his speech at the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) held at Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City on Monday.
He cited such reminders on the heels of the series of storms that have brought devastation in most of Luzon and some areas in Visayas, noting that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) expects 12 more to enter the country’s Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) until December.
The President also pointed out that out of the 24 active volcanoes in the country that are under close watch by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), four are undergoing an eruptive phase, emphasizing that of Mount Kanlaon in Negros.
President Marcos reminded everyone, “Hindi tayo dapat tumigil sa ating mga ginagawang paghahanda, dahil ang banta ay patuloy na naririyan. Dapat ay maging likas at ‘automatic na’ ang mga wastong gawi sa tuwing may sakuna.”
He added further, “Dahil sunod-sunod ang mga sakuna, lalo na ang bagyo, mahalagang itanim ang prinsipyo ng continuous improvement, kung saan tayo ay natututo [at] palaging humuhusay sa bawat karanasan. Nareremedyuhan kung saan tayo nagkulang, at saan natin dapat galingan pa.”
Apart from putting up more dedicated evacuation centers to be used in lieu of school classrooms, the Chief Executive also cited the integration of modern technology in weather and earthquake forecasts. This includes doppler radar systems, broadband seismic stations, and landslide sensor systems deployed by the PAGASA and PHIVOLCS in different locations across the archipelago.
He also recognized the importance of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Mobile Command and Control Vehicles disseminated to 11 LGUs in the country, which aided in disaster response efforts amid calamities.
President Marcos, however, urged the masses to cooperate with concerned authorities to aid in the preparation and response efforts, underscoring that this is the key to enhancing the effectiveness of government interventions when catastrophes strike.
The President urged the citizenry, “Hiling din namin ang inyong kooperasyon, inyong disiplina, pagmamatyag, at bayanihan bilang responsableng mamamayan—kooperasyon sa mga malawakang ensayo, pagsunod sa mga babala at tagubilin, tulad ng agarang pag-likas at pag-iwas sa mga “danger zones.”
He added further, “Disiplina, lalo na sa wastong pagtapon ng basura; pagmamatyag sa bawat oras, bawat araw, lalo na kapag may nagbabadyang hagupit ng panahon;pag-alam sa malapit na evacuation center; pakikinig sa totoong balita; at pagtalima sa mga alituntunin ng pamahalaan.”
The Chief Executive, moreover, cited the importance of bayanihan and solidarity with those affected by calamities, noting that Filipino lives are important and precious.
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