While another tropical storm batters our nation, leaving countless families displaced and communities shattered, how many more times must we witness this cycle of destruction and empty promises? Tropical Storm Kristine (International name: Trami) made its unwelcome entrance into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Oct. 21, intensifying rapidly into what would become another nightmare for countless Filipino families.
According to PAGASA, the storm brought intense rainfall, with some areas expecting more than 8,000 liters of rain, leading to widespread flooding and landslides. As of writing, the death toll stands at 24 and still counting, with the Bicol region and Quezon province bearing the impact of the storm.
Floodwaters from the typhoon are slowly receding, leaving behind a familiar scene of destruction and hopelessness. Too often have we heard the story of homes destroyed, lives disrupted, and dreams being washed away. However, while looking at pictures of flooded neighborhoods and urgent families, I can't shake the growing sense of disappointment.
When will our government start taking disaster preparedness seriously, especially with the increasing number of typhoons we are experiencing? How many additional casualties must occur before actual steps are taken instead of empty promises?
The ₱61 billion question
In a recent virtual press conference on Oct. 25, Senator Joel Villanueva's revelation regarding the Bicol Region’s budget of ₱61.42 billion allocated specifically for flood control in the Bicol Region should have been cause for celebration. Instead, it has become another source of frustration and disbelief. It encapsulates the dysfunction plaguing our disaster response system.
Let this sink in, ₱61.42 billion. It is a project that can build an effective flood control system for the whole region, yet here we are, watching Bicol drown under Typhoon Kristine's relentless rains. The disconnect between these astronomical figures and the reality on the ground isn't just alarming and it is a slap in the face to every Filipino who has ever waded through flood waters to save what little they could of their belongings.
Even more infuriating is the political theater that follows every disaster. Like clockwork, politicians and wannabe candidates for the 2025 elections descend upon evacuation centers, armed with their predictable cans of sardines and packs of instant noodles. They pose for photos, distribute these meager offerings, and expect gratitude in return.
Is this the best we can offer our people? A few cans of canned goods in exchange for the victim’s dignity?
We need to stop falling for this emotional manipulation. These "relief operations" are nothing more than early campaign sorties disguised as humanitarian aid. While these politicians smile for their photo ops, families huddle in evacuation centers, their homes and livelihoods destroyed. The true tragedy lies not only in the flooding itself but in how we've normalized this cycle of inadequate response and political exploitation. The ghost of Typhoon Yolanda still haunts our collective memory. That catastrophic event in 2013 should have been our wake-up call, our moment of transformational change. Instead, eleven years later, we're still watching the same tragedy play out with different names and faces.
The “wait” that costs lives
Perhaps the most disheartening aspect of this current crisis is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s response during the situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) headquarters on Oct. 23.
His statement, "There's nothing we can do except wait for it to pass," isn't just an admission of defeat, but a betrayal of every Filipino family currently battling floodwaters and seeking refuge in evacuation centers.
Mr. President, with all due respect, there is an abundance of actions we could, and should, be taking. Where is the urgent mobilization of rescue teams? Where are the pre-positioned relief goods? Where is the coordinated evacuation plan that should have been ready before the first raindrop fell? Your words echo through every flooded street and overcrowded evacuation center, a haunting reminder of leadership that chooses passivity over proactivity.
Social media platforms became outlets for our collective disappointment, with hashtags and posts expressing what many of us feel: in an era where we can predict storms days in advance and track them by the hour, "waiting it out" isn't just an inadequate response–it's a dangerous abdication of responsibility.
The time for band-aid solutions and reactive measures is long past. Our country deserves more than just post-disaster photo ops and hastily distributed relief goods. We need a complete overhaul of our approach to disaster management. This means ensuring that every peso allocated for flood control actually translates into functional infrastructure. It means investing in early warning systems that reach every vulnerable community.
Yes, our archipelagic nature makes us vulnerable to nature's wrath, but our preparedness lies entirely in our hands. While we cannot command the storms to change their paths, we absolutely can change how we face them. We need flood control systems that exist in reality, not just in government PowerPoint presentations.
Most importantly, we need leaders who understand that their primary duty is to protect their people, not just console them after tragedy strikes.
The difference we can make in 2025
As we approach the 2025 elections, we carry more than just our individual votes, but we carry the weight of countless typhoon seasons, the memories of communities rebuilt only to be destroyed again, and the growing frustration with leadership that measures compassion in cans of sardines and packets of instant noodles.
Every flood that submerges our communities, every landslide that buries dreams, and every life lost to these disasters should fuel our determination for change. We cannot, we must not, become numb to this recurring nightmare. These aren't just statistics in a disaster report; these are the lives of every Filipino who could have survived the tragedy of a “supposed” flood control project two years before.
As the waters of Typhoon Kristine recede, leaving behind mudded homes and shattered lives, let's transform our anger and heartbreak into action. It's time to demand more than just relief goods and sympathy. We need to scrutinize disaster preparedness budgets, question where flood control funds go, and support organizations that work year-round tirelessly to fill the gaps left by government inadequacies.
The cycle of destruction we've witnessed our entire lives isn't natural, hence a result of decades of poor planning, misplaced priorities, and leadership that reacts rather than prepares. Our families shouldn't have to rebuild their homes every typhoon season. Our communities shouldn't have to measure their worth in relief goods received.
We need leaders who understand that true disaster response begins long before a storm makes landfall. We need officials who will fight for the proper allocation and utilization of resources, and who will champion long-term solutions over quick fixes. We need a government that sees disaster preparedness not as an optional expense but as a fundamental responsibility to its citizens.
We have the power to break the cycle of neglect and disappointment. The choice is ours. This isn't just another election, it's our chance to turn the tide. Let's not let this opportunity slip through our fingers like so much flood water. Our future depends on the choices we make now.
Don’t let it wash away.
