The realization: Surviving as a community

PANGASINAN has reasons to feel fortunate. It has been spared from the wrath of super typhoon ‘Rolly’ that wreaked havoc along its path and the number of patients recovering for COVID-19 infection is increasing, bigger than registered new confirmed cases.

Being spared from a deathly calamity is undoubtedly an act of God but succeeding in efforts to contain a human virus can only be attributed to good governance and cooperation of the public. In both aspects, we can only heave a deep sigh of relief and resolve to do better with God’s grace in the weeks and months ahead.

But to feel good about our situation today should not lull us into complacency and let our guard down. As there are lessons to be learned from the destruction caused by ‘Rolly’ in other provinces, there is also the realization that we have everything to gain from being compliant and disciplined in following the government’s dictates and bidding.

Studies and plans for protection against calamitous situations must not only continue to be developed, but both public and private stakeholders must realize that investment of more resources into these are paramount.

On the other hand, we must learn that the established safety and health protocols can no longer be shrugged off as mere optional measures but accept these as basic measures to protect not only one’s self but our community’s as well.

In both cases, there must be the realization that acting as one allows us to survive as one big community.

Typhoon ‘Rolly’

OUR country suffers an average of 20 typhoons a year.  Almost two every month.  If only for that, we are like doomed?  Because, instead of us progressing economically to make us competitive on the world stage, we are blunted each time a typhoon strikes.  One destructive storm alone could cost us billions in crops lost, houses destroyed and infrastructure ripped off.  Take “Rolly” that struck South and Western Luzon this week, with Bicol the hardest hit. The Category 5 typhoon, the year’s 18th, packing maximum winds of 300kph, claimed 20 lives and affected 2.1 million, some 372,381 of them fleeing to evacuation centers even as 53,863 homes lost power and telecommunication lines that left Catanduanes uncontacted for days. Total loss: Over P6 billion.  Before “Rolly” were “Quinta,” “Pepito” and “Ofel” in succession—each one as devastating as the other. OMG, we could only implore for God’s mercy.

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