An unsafe place

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

A new Mortality Risk Index (MRI) released by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction ranks the Philippines No. 12 among 200 countries and territories whose populations are most at risk from earthquakes, floods, tropical cyclones and landslides, the four “sudden onset hazards” that have increased in frequency and resulted in more deaths in the last 30 years.

Our country’s poor ranking in the MRI was explained by Emmanuel de Guzman, UNISDR adviser for Asia Pacific, as due to the location of the Philippines within the so-called Pacific ring of fire, as well as the passing of approximately 20 devastating typhoons every year.  The Philippines is one of the 10 most vulnerable island countries in the world, being continually exposed to these natural hazards that cannot be avoided, which often results in the loss of lives and livelihood, destruction of infrastructure, worsening poverty and setting back any economic gains.

Unlike our dismal ranking when it comes to corruption, there is actually nothing to be ashamed of in our MRI ranking, which lists the Philippines as among the world’s most unsafe places. However, it should not be an excuse for our government to become complacent where natural disasters are involved.  Our vast experience with regards to the wrath of Mother Nature should have enabled us to develop a comprehensive national preparedness and response program for dealing with such surprises, but unlike our compatriots, the Ivatans of Batanes, it is obvious that we have not used that knowledge wisely.

 Every year, disaster strikes the same regions that are worst hit by typhoons and floods, and yet, aside from the standard dole outs that come with evacuation and relief efforts, nobody in the government seems to be doing anything to improve our ability to weather the storms come next typhoon season.

Our fatalistic attitude when it comes to natural disasters compounds what is already a formidable problem, making the Philippines truly one of the most unsafe places in the world to live in.  If this government truly cares about its people, it should do more to ensure their protection at all times, in good weather and as well as in bad.*