We condole with the thousands
of families throughout Metro Manila and Luzon who lost loved ones and homes,
and who suffered immensely due to the devastating rains and flooding.
This has been the second such
massive devastation in three years. Then as in now, the Filipinos' generosity,
unity, and strong civic spirit shone through. We laud the heroes, everyone who
risked life and limb, to rescue those in danger.
We call on the national and
local governments to complement the resilience of our people with the resilience
of our cities. We have been spending more on relief and rehabilitation rather
than on long-term solutions that will reduce our risks and vulnerabilities--and
prevent such disastrous impacts from happening again.
When we deliberate on the
national budget for next year, we will scrutinize the government's disaster
management plan. We expect it--and will require it--to be anchored on risk
reduction, mitigation, and adaption.
If natural calamities such as
this rampaging monsoon are indeed the "new normal", then the
government ought to be implementing strategies it has not done so before.