I love my country. Beautiful coastline, warm people and a simple life. These are just a few reasons why I still chose to live here.
Life is sweet until disaster strikes.
Living in this country makes us vulnerable to some a lot of hazards.
The flooding that occurred early this week showed us how vulnerable the country is. While Mindanao experienced sunny weather, Metro Manila and some parts of Luzon experienced heavy rainfall. I have my share of flood stories and storm stories. By some stroke of luck, I was spared from the wrath of Sendong. However, I have never experienced (and will never dream of experiencing) flooding that happens in a span of 2 hours.
The government was quick to mobilize its warning systems. These are the new warning codes that everyone should know.
This is Architect Paulo Alcazaren’s illustration on the warnings.
Because of Sendong last December, I asked about the flood map of my city from Professor Mahar Lagmay of Nababaha.com.
Almost 8 months since I asked that question, there is still no flood map for Butuan City but I am glad to see flood maps in other parts of the region. This week I learned that Professor Lagmay heads Project NOAH. NOAH stands for Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards. The project NOAH website gives real-time doppler image report. Coolness! One should learn how to navigate the site for practical reasons. You get an image like this that shows a picture of what is happening in real time.
Knowing that this can happen again, we must be prepared. These are the important emergency numbers.
These numbers are for those in Metro Manila. If you live in the province, know the important numbers of your RDRRMC.
Here are some emergency tips:
Googly Gooeys got some tips, too!
It is important to be alert.
Water is important. In particular, clean water. There is such a thing called ‘The Rule of Threes’.
Here are the steps in purifying your own water:
Flooding poses a threat to safety, properties and health.
However, it is in difficult times like this that makes me proudest being a Filipino.
Surviving is reason enough to smile.
We trust the people we once doubted.
In my country, everyone is a hero.
There are many ways one can help. For a nation dubbed as the texting capital of the world, this is the easiest way a Filipino can help his countrymen.
The Philippine Red Cross has amphibians that can reach flooded areas.
Mindanao is dry and sunny and I am not complaining. I admit I have not prepared a disaster kit. For those who are also thinking of preparing a disaster kit, check out the following guides:
A detailed list can be found in this Rappler article.
This is something we can think about. Think before you buy something. Think before you throw something.
Architect Paulo Alcazaren has sketches of his proposal for the future design of barangay halls.
I wonder if this design is also earthquake proof. Similarly, this is his proposal for areas near the river.
Uncanny. His sketch closely describes where I live. I live two blocks away from the dike. See the green area, left of the river near the bridge? There used to be people living in that area. Good thing, our barangay already relocated people living near the Agusan river.
The area is empty now.
A ‘secret’ garden thrives there.
I hope we can find solutions to Metro Manila’s flood problems. Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr., a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, presented some simple solutions in this Rappler article.
I now end this very long post.
Note: all the photos and graphics that are not my own are linked from the source.
It’s good to know that even after our country’s recent disaster, we still stand as one and use our social media influences to help and share relevant information such as this post! God bless! 😉 – visiting from BC Bloggers CommEx – Mommy Practicality (Louise)
This is a great post. I also learn about Project Noah through my officemate. Good site.
Very good post. Thanks for sharing… a very good share and precaution during flood etc.
as a fellow mindanaoan i never experienced flood until recently. good thing, nasa 4th flr kami. mindanao, in general. wont be suffering from rains. projection ng pagasa says that by 2020, mindanao will be drier. ibang prep kelangan natin. kaloka no?
dry nga. naka-#3 bentilador ko. i seldom use to aircon because electric is expensive . what should we look out for? drought? landslide? earthquake? I sound praningers. hehe
I must admit, we did not really prepare for this flooding. We have learned our lessons, I just hope we can still prepare for other rainstorm episodes.
I bookmarked this post. So many useful info here! Plus Arch. Alcazaren’s (he was one of our thesis jury, gasp!) sketch made the flood zones idea easier to grasp.
Wow! You know him! I looked into his FB page and he has good ideas.
Great post you have here, Sis! Already sent this link to my family and friends so they’ll be informed, too.
Thanks! Sana makatulong ang na-complie ko.
This is such a great post! Every detail really counts! Will share this. BTW ^^. I would love you to visit my blog “ miss JHENZ “http://ow.ly/cUC9T Have a great week ahead!
Hi, Jen. I have visited your blog. Kudos on that Zalora coupon code!
I love the “The Filipino Spirit is Water Proof” especially at these debacles. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
I bookmarked this post, you summed up all the important reminders that we need to remember during rainy (flooding) season.
This is a very informative post. I pray that the new typhoon will leave no harm. That’s very true, Filipino Spirit is Waterproof!
It’s good to be aware of the risks our country is exposed to. Those factors, we have no control of because of our geographic location. Project NOAH is great for warning us of the probability of flooding. For now, that is our short term response…but I hope and pray that government would also look into long term solutions. In terms of infrastructure and flood control, I think we have a lot of room for improvement in those areas.
(2nd attempt to comment) I hope the government will also look into long term solutions, far beyond just the early warning / alert system.
That is my hope, too.
It may be long, but it’s a very informative and important post. Can’t help but laugh on the image on the FLOOD ZONES na pag RED ALERT, may scuba diver na. Hahaha! Humor runs in the Filipino blood talaga. I’m proud to be Pinoy.
Visiting from Comment Exchange August 14.
A very informative post. I which that the Ondoy tragedy will not repeat and I know that people will really learn from what previously happened. (Visit from BC Blogger)
A lot of information here… Thanks for the great post and to know that everything goes fine kahit pa sa pagbabaha na nangyayari sa ngayon jan. Just don’t always forget to pray…
your psot is very informative and helpful. with all these information people will be more aware and ready if heavy rains will come again.
[…] afternoon, I went out to buy items we might need during the storm. Good thing I compiled all the infographics when monsoon rains flooded Metro Manila last August. I had to read them again to check if I got […]
[…] NOAH. I verified it. True enough I got the same information. Prof Lagmay is an expert I asked about flood maps before and I trust his […]