The typhoons hitting us today are no longer the storms we once knew. They are stronger, more unpredictable, and more destructive. Each typhoon has its own “signature”—its own behavior, pattern, and impact. And as the “typhoon-manufacturing province” of the Philippines, Catanduanes must go beyond resiliency. We must evolve into a province of scientific readiness and proactive governance.
Now is the time to build a scientific and research-based documentation system for every typhoon, whether weak or super typhoon. A collaboration between Catanduanes State University (CatSU) and the Provincial Government is not just timely — it is urgent. This partnership can produce detailed, evidence-based research reflecting the actual impact of every typhoon.
Imagine each municipal office and school library having a Typhoon Diary Book—a comprehensive, accessible record for the public. This becomes a strategic blueprint for future planning of LGUs, institutions, and even national agencies.
But this vision cannot exist without funding. LGUs must allocate resources to document damage in the farthest sitios and hardest-hit areas. Research teams must reach coastal barangays, mountain zones, and isolated islands—areas often overlooked but most vulnerable.
As a province in the typhoon belt, our decisions must always factor in future risk, not just present convenience.
We must correct what is wrong with our infrastructure mindset. Houses, schools, and public buildings must be constructed based on scientific assessment—not political convenience or quick fixes. Yet we still see government infrastructure built beside the sea or within landslide zones.
Zoning ordinances must be strengthened. Land-use plans should be updated and strictly followed. School buildings in danger zones must be relocated. Resiliency is good, but the best protection is prevention.
Every barangay must have a Team of Experts—trained, equipped, and ready to act before, during, and after every typhoon. This team becomes the barangay’s core force for disaster response.
1. Before the Typhoon: The Preparedness Brigade
This team will:
- Conduct house-to-house awareness campaigns.
- Identify vulnerable families and structures.
- Pre-position emergency kits and communication equipment.
- Clear waterways, declog canals, and trim dangerous trees.
- Coordinate with MDRRMO and PDRRMO for updated advisories.
Required Tools & Training:
✔ First aid and basic life support certification
✔ Training in early warning systems
✔ Chainsaws, pruning tools, and safety equipment
✔ Radios or handheld communication devices
✔ Mapping tools for hazard identification
2. During the Typhoon: The Response Team
The same group shifts function and will:
- Monitor the situation in real-time (no actual fieldwork during peak danger).
- Relay accurate information to LGUs and rescue units.
- Guide families to designated evacuation centers.
- Ensure orderly movement and compliance with advisories.
- Maintain communication lines with external agencies.
Required Tools & Training:
✔ Emergency communication protocol
✔ Satellite phone (for isolated barangays)
✔ Flashlights, helmets, reflective vests
✔ Evacuation procedures training
✔ Weather monitoring and reporting skills
3. After the Typhoon: The Clearing Operation Brigade
Once the storm passes, the team becomes the Clearing Brigade, responsible for:
- Immediate assessment of damage.
- Clearing debris from roads, pathways, and waterways.
- Assisting injured or stranded residents.
- Reporting collapsed structures and landslides.
- Coordinating relief distribution and needs assessment.
Required Tools & Equipment:
✔ Chainsaws with proper PPE
✔ Shovels, axes, crowbars, and wheelbarrows
✔ Portable generators and floodlights
✔ Local volunteers trained as “rapid response units”
✔ Drones (if possible) for aerial assessment
This system creates a continuous cycle of readiness, ensuring that every barangay is not merely reactive—but scientifically proactive.
Proactive Governance Is Our Only Way Forward
We cannot stop typhoons, but we can outsmart them.
By documenting storms, conducting research, enforcing zoning laws, and empowering barangay-level expert teams, Catanduanes can rise as a leader of climate resilience in the Philippines. Preparedness begins in science, but victory comes from action.
And action begins today. | FB Eye | By: Ferdinand M. Brizo | Bicol Peryodiko
