I really thought that my almost five-year stint with the Citizens' Disaster Response Center (CRDC) equipped me and my family with the necessary knowledge and skills to face disaster occurrences. I know the various and integrated phases of disaster response from disaster preparedness and mitigation, the linkage of relief rehabilitation and development, evacuation, etc. by heart. My practical training from the institution taught me to always monitor, have simple early warning systems, prepare and design appropriate emergency response, even at home. With the disaster caused by Typhoon Ketsana just two weeks ago, all this acquired competence seems insignificant because the overall - and ultimately far more decisive - disaster response / management system of my country is failing. I live at the heart of the National Capital Region of the Phillipines where Typhoon Ketsana struck on September 26th (our weather forecasting agency called it Typhoon Ondoy). I personally experienced being trapped for a whole day and being rescued because floodwater entered our house and rose as high 7 ft. What made matters worse was that a cement wall dividing the apartment units from other neighbors collapsed right infront of our door and we were trapped inside the house. My husband and sons were shouting at our neighbors for help from the second floor of our house while I was frantically calling all the local government agencies (from the mayor's office down the social welfare department). Our neighbors' help was immediate -- they put a ladder from the window of our room to get us out of the house and they have improvised logs for floaters. In no time, we were out of the house and stayed with a neighbor friend for safety. What I have found very frustrating and disappointing was that our city government does not have a disaster response unit. I was asking the mayor's assistance why the city cannot respond to the situation - and the man flatly answered they don't have any disaster response or emergency units. In the aftermath of the typhoon, I together with other CDRA / CPDG network members conducted damage, needs and capacities assessment in many areas affected by typhoons. As you may have read in the news, there are now 240 dead and millions of people affected. The stories shared by the affected residents are the same as what I have experienced but their damage and losses were greater -- they lost their loved ones, their houses were damaged, appliances and furniture destroyed, all their clothes were soiled with mud (some of those we interviewed shared that they haven't changed their clothes since they swam the almost 20 feet high flood water to safety). Almost all non-governmental organizations here in the country are busy attending and responding to the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the affected population. I am now working closely with the Samahang Operasyong Sagip (Respond and Rescue Operation Network or SOS) helping out them out with various aspects of disaster response work - starting with getting the right data for a more appropriate response. My previous experience working with CDRC exposed me to the fighting spirit and the inherent strength and capacities of the vulnerable sectors -- nobody would want to be reduced to just receiving relief goods. Filipinos are survivors and fighters. But until now, we have yet to hear a comprehensive and carefully studied disaster response and management program from the government. What we have had until now is a knee-jerk response to disasters. This experience further validates what we have been campaigning and lobbying for so many years - that the government should review the antiquated disaster program and formulate a more comprehensive disaster risk management program - a disaster risk reduction program with the community-based disaster management framework as its core principle. Rosalinda Crescini-Tablang
Executive Director
Council for People's Development and Governance, and;
former Executive Director of Citizens' Disaster Response Center
#35 Examiner St.
West Triangle, Quezon City
Tel. No: (632)-9298109
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