As the recent typhoons barreled through the Philippines one after another, an unsettling feeling replaced the relief we once felt from canceled classes and work. Now, we wait if the next storm could be the one that tests the limits of or breaks Filipinos’ resilience. Or if, after all this, it will take even more for us to rise once again.

Recent typhoons brought rounds of relief efforts, and with it, the predictable narrative that resilience runs in the blood of the Filipino people. Images of Filipinos ralling to save what they can and protecting one another flashed before our screens, as if we are caught in a simulation or a loop that plays out again and again.

Resilience amidst disasters is ironically celebrated as if it were an achievement, even though this is all about rebuilding or merely surviving natural disasters in the absence of a strong government response. If resilience is truly an achievement, where is the trophy for every person who survived the disasters that could have been better mitigated through effective systems?

A band-aid solution

(Photo by Bullit Marquez)

Resilience is deeply embedded in Filipino culture and is part of our shared identity for generations. As Virgilio Enriquez highlighted in Sikolohiyang Pilipino, kapwa––the very core of Filipino social psychology––goes beyond simply maintaining relationships; it centers on recognizing others as fellow human beings. This collective sense of kapwa instills a strong, shared responsibility to protect and support one another to the fullest extent possible, regardless of the magnitude of the challenges we face.

Be it supporting relief operations, climbing roofs to avoid floodwaters, or sharing crucial information on social media for those who need help, Filipinos always find ways to survive and ensure that others survive with them. In the process of saving themselves, many continue to move forward, with some even able to celebrate life’s milestones despite disasters.

While some are able to move on, others don’t even have the chance. They answer the call to serve their communities, even at the risk of their own lives. These individuals are hailed as heroes, but the reality is that their sacrifices might have been avoided if proper disaster preparedness measures had been in place. Instead of celebrating these actions, we should focus on addressing the systemic problem that leaves people vulnerable and put them in harm’s way.

The constant cycle of typhoons, followed by relief operations, sends a painful message to the people: they must endure. However, resilience should never be the only response; if anything, it should be the last line of defense. Instead of tackling the root causes of these disasters that amplify its impact, such as deforestation and poorly planned urban development, the administration seems to push Filipinos to continually brace for the hardships brought by typhoons.

Promised programs, where?

(Screenshot from News5/YouTube )

In his recent State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the completion of 5,500 flood control projects. However, the devastation caused by four powerful typhoons last month calls into focus whether these measures have been sufficient in addressing the country’s vulnerabilities.

Senator Joel Villanueva raised concerns over the allocation of the budget for flood control in the Bicol region, which was heavily impacted by Typhoon Kristine and is now facing the effects of Typhoon Ofel. Despite the region's flood control budget from 2023 to 2024 standing at P61.42 million, concerns may arise that the funds were not effectively used for flood control projects.

In light of the devastation brought by Typhoon Kristine, Marcos Jr. instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to revisit the Bicol River Basin Development Program (BRBDP) as a potential flood control measure for the region. The BRBDP, which was initiated during the administration of his late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, was initially designed to address the region’s infrastructure needs, including flood management, farm-to-market roads, and irrigation systems, aimed at tackling long standing challenges in the area.

However, it’s undeniable that much has changed since it was first proposed in the 70s. Given the region's vulnerability to floods, the program could have been revisited much earlier as well. Its connection to the president’s father could also raise questions as to whether the revival of the program is genuinely aimed at solving issues or merely to burnish their family’s name.

With the plan to revisit the BRBDP and the previously mentioned 5,500 flood control projects, some of which are labeled as ghost projects, it raises the question: were these projects, from the very start, constructed more for the sake of a number on a report rather than being designed to endure the intensity of the floods the country has faced?

Interestingly, the president acknowledged that his administration’s flood control projects were not enough. Given that the country regularly faces such intense weather, why were these 5,500 projects unable to hold up against the typhoons? While his acknowledgment of the problem is a step in the right direction, it falls short of what needs to be addressed– climate change. The increasing intensity of typhoons highlights that while infrastructure is necessary, it must be complemented by strategies to tackle climate change.

While resilience is often associated with the immediate response to typhoons, it's important to recognize that it has been a constant throughout all challenges we face.

For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic also ignited the narrative of resilience among Filipinos. Many found ways to survive by launching small businesses, freelancing, or contributing to their communities through volunteering, including setting up community pantries.

With the upcoming elections next year, it’s crucial that we scrutinize candidates' disaster preparedness plans. It’s time to shift the narrative: rather than continuously praising the resilience of Filipinos, we should urge the government to implement more effective, long-term disaster preparedness measures that focus on preventing and mitigating the impacts of these disasters.

We Filipinos may be resilient enough to weather the storms, but it might not be long before our spirits tire and yearn not just for resilience but for true safety and security in our lives. - Elisse Denell Arzadon