NOBODY can stop disasters from coming that’s why they’re called acts of God.

Floods, landslides, earthquakes and more violent behaviors of nature can’t be controlled by humans.

In the same manner, our government can’t prevent typhoons from happening in the country. Typhoons frequent the Philippines during the second half of every year and they would continue to cause harm to Filipinos, their properties and to the economy of the nation.

Fortunately, the harm brought by these typhoons to our people can be reduced by various government interventions.

Just recently, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. renewed his call for a whole-of-nation approach to mitigate the effects of climate change in the Philippines.

Successive typhoons continue to hit the country, leaving massive destruction in many parts of the archipelago.

In his speech during the aid distribution in Oriental Mindoro yesterday, President Marcos said nobody can stop disasters from happening but their effects can be lessened with everyone’s cooperation.

Amid the challenges, President Marcos assured the government’s continued support for typhoon victims.

President Marcos instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to encourage local government units (LGUs) to use the geohazard maps of the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

The maps help in identifying landslide-prone and flood-prone areas.

The President led the distribution of PhP46.14 million in financial assistance. He gave PhP10,000 each to 4,546 farmers and fisherfolk and their families at the Abada College Gymnasium in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined in distributing PhP683,449.32 in financial assistance.

Of the 4,546 beneficiaries, 415 came from the Municipality of Baco; 41 from Calapan City; 257 from the Municipality of Naujan; 51 from Pola; 115 from Puerto Galera; 45 from San Teodoro; 228 from Socorro; 358 from Victoria; 169 from Bansud; 716 from Bongabong; 672 from Bulalacao; 18 from Gloria; and 1,024 from Mansalay.

At least 242 residents from the Municipality of Pinamalayan also received cash assistance along with 195 others from the Municipality of Roxas.

President Marcos ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the LGUs to ensure the integrity of road networks and other infrastructures in the province.

The Philippines is experiencing an unusual volume of rain, resulting to massive inundation despite the flood control projects.

Thus, he ordered the DPWH, DENR, and other concerned agencies to revise the country’s Flood Control Masterplans.

He emphasized the need to increase the flood control capacity above the estimated level of flooding.

The Marcos government has allocated nearly PhP600 million for flood control projects in MIMAROPA.

Flood control structures worth PhP 214.08 million in various barangays of Oriental Mindoro are completed along those in Panggalaan River in Barangay San Nicolas, Bucayao River in Barangay San Luis, and Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Barangays San Carlos and Pinagsabangan II.

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AUTHOR PROFILE

Mario Fetalino Jr.