Start getting ready for more floods, say experts

GOVERNMENT agencies must move from a disaster response mentality to a culture of preparation and prevention, planning experts say.

May C. Vincente, head of map making at the Manila Observatory told UCA News that years of neglect and lack of planning and mapping were the reason the floods were so severe.

“Whether these floods re-occur or not will depend on people finally making up a flood plan at a local and a regional level,” she said.

Manila and Luzon were hit by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng (International names Ketsana and Parma)

The out going administration of President Gloria Arroyo is preparing to integrate in one database all existing flood warning, monitoring and forecasting systems in Luzon and Manila.

Ricardo Saludo, the presidential spokesperson says the database will help better prepare vulnerable communities and individuals for disasters like the two typhoons that hit the country last September.

Critics say that while the government has been working to relocate thousands of families along potential flood areas before the typhoon season starts in June, they should be more active in raising awareness on disaster prevention.

Report from ucanews.com