Alleba Politics

For the nth time, the country is once again hit by a devastating natural calamity. At least two thousand people are feared to be dead following a massive mudslide in Leyte.

And sad part is it could have been avoided from happening. It’s not as if the heavy rains which caused the landslide was a freak incident. Year after year, typhoons and torrential rains hit certain parts of the country. Year after year, we read, hear and see devastating floods and landslides leading to incalculable loss of lives, property and income.

We have a National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) which only surfaces when disaster strikes. And when that happens, officials come out to say how sorry they are for what happened, that everything will be done to help the victims of the calamity.

Instead of apologies, why doesn’t the government prepare for the next calamity? Why don’t they prevent and avoid it from happening? Although typhoons and heavy rains cannot be stopped from happening, there are a lot of things to prevent its devastating effects to happen.

Officials are vehemently denying that the Leyte mudslide was caused by deforestation. If they really believe that then they are either ignorant or stupid… or maybe both. Any thinking person would know that deforestation is one of the leading causes of heavy landslides. Even though the logging of an area is “legal” it does not mean that it would not lead to catastrophes and disasters. Deforestation is deforestation, whether the cause is legal or illegal. And the deforestation of an area will inevitably lead to landslides, flooding and other such disasters.

Aside from environmental protection, there are numerous other steps to avert disaster if only enough time, money and effort is poured into it. Government officials might not be aware that agricultural engineer Justino Arboleda won the British Broadcasting Company - Newsweek World Challenge Competition by inventing and developing coconets for preventing soil erosion and landslides. Dams and other mechanisms can be put in place to prevent floods. Communities, especially in vulnerable areas, should be taught disaster management.

How many more lives, property and income have to be lost for the government to realize that an ounce of prevention is indeed better than a pound of cure? When a life is lost, it is lost forever. Let the casualties of the Leyte mudslide and other victims of similar disasters serve as inspiration and motivation for the government to work harder and better towards not only rescuing and saving victims, but also preventing disasters from happening.

Bookmark on del.icio.us

• Still in a State of National Emergency
• Raul Roco
• Preserve the Environment, Sustain the Economy… Yes, Cooperatives Can!