Friday, July 25, 2008

EDITORIAL July 26 Issue

Reconstruction To Prevent Recur
Typhoon Frank on June 21, brought damages both to lives and properties. It brought sacrifices, pains and unquantifiable loses.
However, typhoon Frank also brought strength to the people of Aklan. One month after Frank, Aklanons had survived the vast devastation, a realization that we are strong, we withstood the pain. Now, we are in our feet standing. In the process of rehabilitation and survival, we united among ourselves and faced the great odds. We were one in solving the problem.
Typhoon Frank brought love and the realization that people from other provinces, from abroad love the Aklanons. There was outpouring of concern, expression of encouragement to make the victim strong. There were continuous arrival of relief assistance such as food, water, clothes, cash and others.
The president of the Philippines came twice on July 1 and 2. Senate President Manuel Villar, Sen. Mar Roxas, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada Sen. Bong Revilla, Sen. Migs Zubiri, Speaker Prospero Nogrles, Sen. Loren Legarda and several Cabinet members came. Makati Mayor Jojemar Binay, former Pres. Erap Estrada, and many other very important persons were in Kalibo.
MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando did not only visit Kalibo, he sent his fleet of engineering equipment and men to help clear the mud, remove debris, declog drainages and give technical advise to mitigate the adverse effects of flood and mud. The MMDA Mercy Mission left Kalibo on July 21, some 25 days of free labor, use of engineering equipment and technical assistance that if quantified into pesos will amount to several millions. The MMDA Mercy Mission left Kalibo with its GREATNESS imprinted in bold letters in the hearts and minds of Aklanons, especially Kalibonhons.
On the other hand, typhoon Frank is now serving as eye openers. Now, public officials are talking about dredging Aklan river, reconstruct the drainage system of Kalibo. Now, we are talking about disaster preparedness. Political leaders are now talking about rehabilitation and recovery of the loses, of the damages.
Perhaps, science has not discover yet any means to stop strong winds. People may construct wind breaks such as the planting of trees but those will be toppled by strong wind velocity.
Maybe, it can only delay wind destructions.
There is rain seeding to induce rainfall in time of drought. But is there rain prevention? Maybe none, but people may come up with a way to direct the flow of excess water on a path that nothing can be damaged by its current. Flood damage can be minimized if man is very discreet in the process of earning his living. Sand and gravel quarrying must be carefully studied. Rules, laws and regulations must be strictly observed by people who process application permit, those who issue permit and those who implement the permit. Any building or any structure construction must be situated on areas that will allow the free flow of water, specially the excess water.
The construction of Tambak Bridge, Tambak, New Washington has totally impeded the free flow of water. The conversion of several creeks into residential areas has hastened flooding and erosion.
It is fervently hope that the reconstruction prevents the recur of Frank catastrophe, that normal life will continue. There will be power, business will continue, no bank interruption, communication is continuing.
Typhoon Frank has a message to all of us. The message will mean according to the person decoding the message. To understand the message, a person may stop for moments to decode the message and analyze it. Meanings will vary from person to person depending what kind of person he/she is. /MP

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