Several strong typhoons battered the Philippines, especially Luzon, and caused billions of casualties through the typhoons Quinta (international name, Molave), Rolly (international name, Goni), and Ulysses (international name, Vamco). I know my account isn’t that big but I hope I could help spread awareness about my country’s situation in any platform I have.
A total of 242,220 residents or 57,742 families from 1,008 barangays in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western and Eastern Visayas were affected by Typhoon Quinta. Of the total affected, 65,579 persons or 16,830 families sought refuge in evacuation centers. Cost of damage to agriculture and infrastructure has also risen to ₱737.1 million, with Calabarzon bearing the highest cost worth ₱593.1 million. Typhoon Quinta partially destroyed 27,213 houses while 2,315 others were totally damaged. At least 330 passengers remain stranded in the different ports of Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western and Eastern Visayas. (source: CNN)
Rolly, at its peak, made 2 landfalls in Bicol region (Catanduanes and Bicol), prompting some 96,887 families or 372,381 persons to evacuate their homes. Some 147 houses were submerged in lahar and debris from Mt. Mayon. The country's 18th storm this year left an estimated P694.37 million worth of damage to agriculture in Bicol alone, according to the report citing the Department of Agriculture. (source: ABS-CBN News)
Typhoon Ulysses, the Philippines' 21st tropical cyclone for 2020, began pummeling Luzon on November 11. Still reeling from Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni), Bicol was the first to face Ulysses' wrath, as the typhoon triggered massive floods in parts of the region. Ulysses then battered Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and Metro Manila, unleashing powerful winds and torrential rain that left neighborhoods submerged and people appealing for aid and rescue. (Source: Rappler)
150,000 farmers and 275,000 hectares of land have incurred losses amounting up to P10-B (~268 USD) after the devastations caused by Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses. That’s from agriculture alone, the losses from the massive flooding of Cagayan and Isabela are still not included in the computation. (source: CNN)
Massive flooding in Cagayan, due to continuous environment abuse
The massive flooding in Cagayan, the worse yet in 40 years, only shows environmental neglect. The biggest problem is the degradation of forests in both Cagayan and Sierra Madre sides. Today, the Cagayan River isn’t even visible as the region submerges in flood.
The province is the catch basin of rain water coming from Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region. Illegal logging has veeb a problem as well for the past 5 decades. The flooding has affected at least 179, 940 individuals in 26 municipalities of Cagayan. More than 11,000 families have been evacuated.
Several factors caused the floods, including recent tropical cyclones and tail-end of a cold front, which prompted the release of water from Magat Dam. Excess water flowed to Cagayan River and its tributaries, flooding communities. (source: Rappler)
Dam operators must be held accountable for Cagayan and Isabela floods
The widespread flooding in Cagayan that gripped the nation this weekend is partly being blamed on the massive release of water from Magat Dam. Typhoon Ulysses made landfall late night Wednesday, November 11, and by Thursday, November 12, Magat Dam opened 7 gates and discharged 6,244 cubic meters of water per second. Dams including Magat rushed to open gates only at the height of Ulysses.
Magat did not make sufficient water drawdown 2 to 3 days prior to Ulysses, as mandated by its protocol, because its gates were not even open 3 to 4 days prior to landfall According to the Magat Dam protocol, there should be a drawdown 2-3 days before the expected landfall.
They had 3 days in advance [to pre-release water], the forecast was made at least 3 days in advance. If you did not contain the release within 1-2 days only but rather within 5 days, then the rivers will be able to handle it better.
The panic on Friday night was partly due to a dearth of information coming from inside Cagayan, which national media had not physically reached at that time. The steady stream of updates only came from the Twitter feed of Vice President Leni Robredo, who herself was also only getting updates from Manila. (source: Rappler)
Save Sierra Madre, Stop Kaliwa Dam
Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines and it protects the country from strong typhoons. However, illegal and abusive deforestation is keeping it from maintaining its full functionality. Kaliwa Dam is proposed to be built along Sierra Madre mountain range, and the environment experts and the citizens are wary of its possible repercussions.
You can help us stop the creation of Kaliwa Dam by signing the following petitions:
Just like what’s happening in Cagayan and Isabela, Pampanga is also facing the run-offs by massive floods from Sierra Madre, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. Water from Bulacan will go down to Macabebe and Masantol. Waters in San Luis, Pampanga already reached head level.
Office of Civil Defense Asec. Casiano Monilla denies that government was caught flat-footed by Ulysses and shifts blame to citizens who supposedly did not heed early warnings. The prime duty of the government is to serve and protect its people. The government refuses to be held accountable from their own incompetence. There wasn’t even a proper briefing before the typhoon struck.
Sen. Gordon also told the public that “No one will take care of you or your family best other than you. Don’t rely on the government.” This also caused unrest in the citizens who wanted to ensure the safety of one another. Because it only seems that we always have to beg to be served when in fact, all the money circulating the government came from taxpayers’ hardworks .
Amidst all struggles the Filipino people are facing right now, from the covid virus up to the cyclone casualties, all of it comes down with the toxic and overly romanticized Filipino Resilience. Additional disaster response are not even planned well, hence the lack of mobilization. The president has all the power to do so, with one word. But not only does he keep the people waiting during crisis, he also only does briefing during or after the disasters. This is why people ask, “Nasaan ang Pangulo?” (Where is the President?)
Fanatics defended the president from criticisms, when asking for his presence will always be a valid question, because we all want to see the response to those who need it most, and not some measly comment on how he wanted to swim with the Filipinos but can’t, because of his health. That is not the point. The president doesn’t need to swim in order to reach help to the Filipinos, he just has to tell all of the country’s rescue forces to hurry.
Addressing the Taal Volcano eruption — “I will eat the lahar and pee on the volcano.”
Addressing the Covid virus — “I will spit [on] and punch the coronavirus.”
Addressing the massive flooding and demand for accountability — “I want to swim with you but the problem is, they’re stopping me, because if I die, there is only one president.”
The Filipinos can no longer wait and laugh at measly hyperbole. People are dying.
Thankfully, independent rescue missions and donations were arranged by several individuals and organizations to lend a hand to those in need. One of those who were seen with initiatives is the Office of the Vice President who is in partnership with Bangon Luzon in Project Kaya Natin ‘To (We can do this). So if you’re looking for a trustworthy organization to donate for the victims of the typhoons, this is where you should donate.
You can also check these carrds for more information about what the Filipinos are fighting for:
If you have read until this far, thank you so much for being concerned. It will also be nice to have this post reblogged so that we can spread this further. Stay safe and have a nice day.
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