Maliban sa paglubog ng MB Aya Express, pinasisiyasat din ni Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga kung sapat pa ba ang disaster response ng bansa.
Ayon kay Barzaga kailangan ng multi-agency investigation upang tunay na masolusyunan ang mga butas sa pagtugon ng bansa sa kalamidad.
Paulit-ulit na lamang kasi aniya ang mga pinsala at aksidente na nangyayari tuwing tatamaan ng bagyo o lindol at iba pang kalamidad ang Pilipinas.
“Sadly, time and time again, we witness the Philippines’ incapacity to cope with natural disasters. It is time to reflect on the lessons learned from our sad experiences with natural disasters and support the country’s ability to predict and respond to natural disasters, disaster-sensitive planning, more investments in flood control systems, improvement in drainage systems, waste collection, and other pro-active programs,” ani Barzaga
Inihalimbawa ng kinatawan sa kaniyang House Resolution 1159, sa panahon ng bagyo sa ibang bansa gaya ng China, nagbabahay-bahay ang nga volunteer at lider ng baranggay para abisuhan ang mga residente.
Habang dito sa bansa, kahit nananalasa na ang bagyong Egay ay may mga tao pa rin sa labas ng bahay.
“In the Philippines, a country where natural disasters have become sad realities, everyone should now be vigilant and proactive in preventing its after-effects. For one, in an impending typhoon, boats should be brought back to shore, and outdoor boarding and hanging signs of commercial boats should be taken down. Additionally, people should be advised to stay indoors and should be advised to work and study at home, secure their doors, windows, and roofs to prevent damage, and people on their own should heed these precautions. However, while Egay was already raging the country, people were still outdoors, and schools and businesses were still open,” saad sa resolusyon.
Idinagdag pa nito ang isang pag-aaral kung saan itinutulak ang pagsasailalim ng komunidad sa disaster preparedness training at pagkakaroon ng local relief system. | ulat ni Kathleen Jean Forbes
