What lessons can be learned from tropical storm 'Ondoy'?

Aguirre, Angeles City: Tropical storms are a natural disaster that we cannot stop, but we can lessen the damage it may bring to us if we stop abusing our environment.  Clark Kent

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: ‘Ondoy’ is an act of God. It is a timely reminder that He holds our future. Isn’t it about time we reviewed our priorities and changed course according to His will?  

Anything can go wrong

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Ondoy reminds us that if anything can go wrong, it will, and at the worst possible time; hence, we must be prepared and ready at all times.  

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: Disaster often comes unexpected. ‘Ondoy’ caught us flatfooted. We must adopt the Boy Scout motto so that in the future, we can be laging handa.  

Justin Phillip Talbo, Ilocos Sur: I’m sure many of us learned the value of taking good care of Mother Nature. Because of Ondoy, we’ve realized that calamities could happen to anyone. We must always be ready, for we never know when tragedies or calamities would come and ruin all that we’ve worked hard for, or even take our lives or the lives of our loved ones.   

J-Dub Wenceslao, Cavite: Simple, that it could happen. Enough said.  

Byron Villareal, Ilocos Sur: Ondoy was a really an unexpected tragedy. Our nation thought that it was just another ordinary typhoon. So, I learned that we should always be ready for anything.  

We must be ready

Carlos Severino, Antipolo City: Whether it be a storm or overloaded ships or buses, prevention is better than cure. Let’s not wait for disaster or death to happen.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: We should always be prepared at home, always listen to weather updates, dispose of garbage properly, stock plenty of food, and lastly, we should always pray.  

Edwin Castillo, Batangas: It’s a good thing to have a fully charged cellphone in times of emergency.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Get rid of our bahala na mentality; instead, we must learn how to equip ourselves with the necessary tools and knowledge for survival. Most of all, we mustn’t forget God.  

Joel Olivares, Metro Manila: We must always be prepared for any eventuality during every typhoon. People, especially those living in low-lying areas, must always be prepared to evacuate at the first sign of disaster. The government must also be on the lookout because it has the capacity to at least measure the strength of an incoming typhoon. Preparedness is the key to at least minimizing the effect of a catastrophe.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Always be prepared for any unexpected disaster and calamity. Avoid being complacent when warning signs are up, and tune in to news reports.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Be Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts always. Be prepared all the time.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Don’t just trust Pag-asa for your safety; be ready and be prepared for the worst.  

Ed Alawi, Davao City: Be prepared when Pagasa announces an incoming storm, and don’t take chances even if most of the time palpak ang anunsyo ng Pagasa.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: We have undergone so many natural calamities, and we were always unprepared as well as dependent on the government and other charitable institutions for help. It is high time that we prepare to help ourselves to the extent of helping others. Local government, especially those in low-lying areas, must have on hand at all time facilities, equipment, rescue teams, and other necessities in times of calamity. Let us always keep our environment clean and safe. On top of the above, let us pray always.  

Col Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: Ondoy’s wrath should remind us of the scouting motto, “Be prepared” or laging handa.  

Maj Soliven, Quezon City: I have learned to prepare in my household: 1. Emergency goods in backpacks, canned goods, rice, biscuits, milk, water, blankets, clothes and umbrella.  

Digoy Coro, Batangas: The best lesson learned: Cleanliness and preparedness are next to godliness.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Most of Ondoy’s victims were caught off guard. Pagasa is also to blame for not informing the public. However, a lot of tragedies could have been avoided if homes had emergency supplies, like food, water, flashlights, portable radios, medicines, batteries, and others. Those living in low-lying areas should also have rubber boats and life vests. New home buyers should check if the homes they are buying are situated in flood-prone areas or earthquake fault lines.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: The lessons are preparedness and being a man for others. We should now always be prepared for a new calamity and do away with the “me-always” attitude.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Disaster preparedness, nationally, locally and domestically. Since we cannot rely on precise data coming from PAGASA, we might as well brace ourselves with everything that we need when another typhoon comes our way.  

Preparedness can’t prevent nature’s wrath

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Preparedness won’t prevent the wrath of nature. It could lessen the impact and accelerate the time of response to the needy. We have the funds, don’t we?  

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Sabi nga ni kaibigang Charlie Avila, we must be ready for more Ondoys to come. Ondoy is just one of nature’s devastations due to climate change.  

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: No one, not even the most powerful nation, can withstand the fury of nature. Sabi nga nila, “Nagtanim ka ng hangin, bagyo ang aanihin.” Be prepared!  

Jose Jumawan, Puerto Princesa: That nature is unforgiving and vengeful. What we sow by way of destroying the environment will come back to haunt us.  

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: What I learned from the massive devastation wrought by Ondoy is never to take for granted any warning coming from the authorities or from nature itself. I also learned that the power of mankind has no match against the forces of nature so we have to take immediate steps to help restore our ravaged environment. Above all, God is in control of everything.  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Any storm, weak or strong for that matter, shouldn’t be taken for granted. One must be prepared at all times. We can’t predict what nature will do next.  

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: Ondoy’s devastating fury is a wake-up to all of us. Experts claims that its destructive rains is attributed to global warming.  

We have to save the environment

Romeo Coloma, Ilocos Norte: Ondoy gave us a long list of things to be given appropriate attention. Sadly, we already knew these things long before Ondoy devastated our country. Who among us is not aware of illegal logging, illegal waste disposal, and other environmental problems? The lesson that we can learn is: “We must act now because tomorrow may be too late; save Mother Earth.”  

Valerie Joyce Go, Tacloban City: I learned that we should be more careful in handling nature because the harm we cause to it will just return to us. Another lesson I learned is not to go out during a storm.  

Marl Ramirez, Metro Manila: Nature is God’s work of art. We should not destroy its beauty, but preserve its blessings.  

Melany Amor Jaramilla, Ilocos Sur: We are not yet fully aware about taking good care of the environment, so we should wake ourselves up and fulfill our responsibilities to make the world a better place.  

Charissa Tuazon, Ilocos Sur: The most important lesson I have learned is the need to take care of Mother Earth. She has taken care of us very well and given us everything we need. Now, it is our time to show how much we love her.  

Denice Reyes, Ilocos Sur: I’ve learned that I should know my responsibilities as a human being, like taking care of God’s creation.  

Stefi Monika Suero, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur: I learned that people aren’t kidding when they say that the world might be destroyed because of us. I also fully understood what people say  that nature can live without man, but man cannot live without nature.  

Geraldine Mae Anne Ruelos, Ilocos Sur: This storm that brought tragedies was an eye-opener for us. I think we’ve learned now that we should really take care of nature.  

Rolly Rabang, Metro Manila: We have encountered many calamities in our country, but the people are still not aware. They are digging mines on mountains, which can cause landslides. They should stop illegal logging now and avoid throwing their garbage everywhere. Be aware of what is happening now. Save Mother Earth!  

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Plenty of lessons can be learned from this tropical storm. Shame on those who sacrilegiously say it was an act of God! These are the results of the folly of mankind in abusing nature and the environment, which retaliates with devastating fury! Kagagawan natin ito! This is a wake-up call for all of us. We are made aware of our responsibility in respecting nature and fulfilling our duties in doing our part  whether individually or as a community or as a nation  to properly handle and dispose garbage and waste especially those that contribute to climate change and global warming. We must look at this as a global concern, even as we do our duties individually, in saving this earth from further destruction.  

Leila Salvador, Ilocos Sur: It’s like the storm is saying that we should begin taking care of our environment to lessen the impact of climate change. A clean and green environment equals less destruction.  

The value of human life

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: In the event of an act of God, there is no rich or poor; only victims asking for help from their government to do something.  L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: The most important lesson that we all should realize from any calamity is the value of human life. By the way, to fellow texter Ishmael Calata, I sympathize with you for losing your cherished collection of things over the years, but I’m thankful that nothing untoward happened to you, otherwise I’d be missing your insightful messages.  

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: That our end comes at a most unexpected time and in a most unexpected way; that we should always be prepared spiritually but we should also value our lives and make use of it to benefit society and nature.  

Disaster is a great equalizer

 Lolong Rejano, Marinduque : No one can predict catastrophe. Rich and poor are equal in begging for help from the government. It only reminds us all to live properly and be respectful of nature and the environment lest we put ourselves at risk. Let’s help one another to preserve what God has given us for the next generations

Ethan Sinson, Quezon City: Ondoy was a great equalizer; neither poor nor rich was spared. Almost all us were victims.  

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: In the event of an act of God, there is no rich or poor; only victims asking for help from their government to do something.  

Louella Brown, Baguio City: A calamity is an equalizer. It leaves both rich and poor traumatized.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: The lesson I’ve learned, first and foremost, is that disaster knows no bounds. Rich or poor can be devastated.  

Many lessons to be learned

Dennis Acop, Quezon City: There are quite a number of lessons to be learned from ‘Ondoy’s’ visit to RP. First, from what I saw, it appears we were ill-prepared. It is not enough to have a disaster preparedness plan. The plan must also be executed in a timely manner and it can only be implemented with sufficient resources. Second, and from a private perspective, people themselves are responsible collectively for locating in disaster-prone areas, not having disaster equipment ready given the fact that we live in a disaster-prone country, and contributing to congestion and waste that clog our drainage systems. Third, from a strategic view, graft and corruption have diverted scarce resources away from sufficiently funding our disaster preparedness plans and into lining the pockets of certain officials and businessmen who are part of a system that is so corrupt it only uses public service as a front for its existence but is actually nothing more than a mob-like venture. Fourth, people could have done more to help themselves.  

We never learn

Rey Onate, Palayan City: The lesson that can be learned from Ondoy is ‘di na tayo natuto.  

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabel:  If only Pinoys had learned lessons from the almost 20 typhoons that visit us every year, we’d never ask this question. Maybe I’m wrong, but the way I see it, for Filipinos who are very pasaway, no lesson could be learned from Ondoy.  

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Wala pong lesson na matutunan sa bagyong Ondoy. Tayo rin po kasi ang dahilan ng malaking pagbaha. Tuloy pa rin ang pagputol ng puno, pagtapon ng basura.  

Loi Castillo, Davao City: The same old lessons on collection and segregation of garbage as well as the perennial problems on slum dwellers at the riverbanks and side creeks.  Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City

Loi Castillo, Davao City: We were taught in school that our country is prone to natural disasters like typhoons because it is near the open area of the Pacific Ocean. The tragedy that struck in the NCR and Southern Luzon taught us what areas are prone to flooding when overdevelopment in the upstream (the Rizal Province) is done. There were natural waterways that were clogged by garbage, which hampered the passage of the flow of floodwaters. The flood cycle in a particular area should also be reviewed to make disaster preparedness planning efficient.  

Turn to God

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: We always have to be prepared, not only physically, but most of all spiritually. Always pray the rosary. We are now experiencing the last message of our Blessed Virgin to the three children of Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. It said that God will allow all natural phenomena, like smoke, hail, cold, water, fire, floods, earthquakes, winds and inclement weather, to slowly batter the planet because men are not practicing the commandments that our Father had given us. These will pass before the year 2010, and it’s now happening. The worse is soon to come, and I cannot mention that here because it might create desperation and panic. What I can suggest is read “The Last Secret of Fatima”. I think there must be copies in bookstores. If not look it up online.  

Mandy Rillon, Metro Manila: It is appointed unto man to die once, after that, the judgment. It’s so unfortunate for our brothers who lost their lives as if judgment day came too close, but no. This is the fruit of our own misdeeds to our Mother Nature, and the unpreparedness of all, especially the leaders of this country. Again, as in the days of Noah, long before the evil days come nigh, let us remember our Creator and meet Him in God’s perfect time. In the midst of storm, we are all equal. When God says it’s your time, our life will be like vapor, it will soon demise. So why waste time? Let us do good to one another, be tenderhearted and forgiving. May God bless us all.  

Our government is ill-prepared

Norberto Robles, Taguig: When choosing an area to live in, avoid areas prone to floods or flash floods, landslides, earthquakes, storm surges. The NDCC should buy propeller-driven marsh skimmers for urban rescue.  

Laging handa.  Hilario Erfe, Cavite: Officials concerned should be able to meet the needs of the victims. They also forgot their Scouts oath:

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo : We learned that our government, both local and national, is still ill-prepared to respond to this kind of disaster.  

Delfin Todcor, Quezon City: It revealed how unprepared our NDCC and LGU officials are in helping victims of flood, precisely due to wrong prioritization and lack of rescue operation drills.  

Daniel Escurel Occeno, Sorsogon : Typhoon Ondoy showed how unprepared we are in facing large-scale disasters.  Roel Dahonog, Cagayan de Oro

Trash caused the disaster

Daniel Escurel Occeno, Sorsogon: Gather the best civil engineers and city planners from the best universities in the Philippines and study how such a disaster could have happened. Trash is the predominant cause, based on the comments I have been reading, so I will assume the poor neighborhoods were affected most because of a build up of trash. Talk to chemical engineers in UP, UST, or others. We can freeze the garbage with sprayed mist and use a hydraulic press, like those used for old automobiles, and crush the frozen trash into powder to melt it into nothing. Use liquid nitrogen, if necessary. I cannot do the research, but the UP or UST chemistry departments should be able to. We can ask students from the finest universities in the Philippines to do research on a way to get rid of all that garbage.  

We have to instill discipline

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: This tragedy should be a wake-up call for us to instill discipline in following environment-friendly laws. It should not only be for today or the next years, but it must become our lifestyle.  

I think the best lesson that we should learn from Ondoy is discipline and concern for the world we live in.  Rowena Remiendo, Quezon City

Christian Paul Alba, Ilocos Sur: We must always be prepared during typhoon season. We must have stocks of food, water, medicine, etc. If the government is lacking in cleaning canals, drainages, and other water passage ways, we as individuals can help lessen the garbage blocking waterways by having a disciplined garbage disposal system.  

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