By: Rommel A. Pamaos
The third and last leg of HANDA PILIPINAS: Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 2023 was held in Visayas and coincided with the 10th year anniversary of the Philippines’ Worst National Disaster, the destruction brought by Typhoon Yolanda.
Held in Summit Hotel in Tacloban City, the three-day exposition that started from November 8-10 only had one agenda In mind, and that was to strengthen our disaster risk management capabilities so the same tragedy would not fall again on our country. With the theme "STY Yolanda Remembered: Understanding Risks and Preventing Future Disasters," the Handa Pilipinas Visayas Leg showcases the technology from organizations that made significant contributions for swift recovery through Science, Technology, and Innovation interventions, while also highlighting the lessons learned from Super Typhoon Yolanda. It also seeks to provide information and expertise in disaster risk and management to the Visayas stakeholders.
The launching of the technological exposition was led by none other than President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in support of the administration’s efforts to showcase the various disaster risk reduction and management initiatives of the government. In his speech, he emphasized the need for the government and the private sector to lend a helping hand to each other so we can truly become a country that is ready to face the challenges of the changing faces of disaster.
“So, my fellow Filipinos, let us remember the lessons of the past, not with despair, but with the determination to learn and to change for the better, to be better prepared, to be better able to help our people.
Sa Bagong Pilipinas na ating isinusulong, ang bawat Pilipino ay laging handa sa pagharap sa mga hamon ng buhay at sa pagtulong sa iba pang mga nangangailangan.” Marcos said as he ended his speech.
One main concern during Super Typhoon Yolanda is the misconception about storm surges. This simple term of unfamiliarity caused death to many Tacloban residents. There was difficulty in explaining to the public what storm surge is, with this in mind, corresponding sessions in better communication in times of disaster were done together with the media to ensure that there is proper dissemination of information to the public.
The fora and the schedule of activities of Handa Pilipinas 2023 was divided into three programs: Pagpangandam, Paglikay and Pagtindog.
Pagpangandam which means "paghahanda", the forum features technologies from DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), DOST-Metal Industry Research and Development Center (DOST MIRDC), and Filipino Inventors Society (FIS) / Philtech. The panel is joined by DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. to answer questions from the LGU and various stakeholders.
Paglikay or “pag-iwas” had a forum that focused on the technologies by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, Advanced Science and Technology Institute, and the Department Of Information And Communications Technology. This is very important because during the height of the Yolanda onslaught and even in the aftermath, most of the communications were down which is why there was a huge media blackout which is one of the reasons for the delayed rescue and relief. Family members outside Visayas also had difficulty tracking the whereabouts of their loved ones due to the lack of communication signals.
The last day of the disaster risk management exposition is Pagtindog, a Visayan word for “pagtayo”. Forums and discussions revolved around technologies that are helpful in the aftermath of a disaster.
Students from different universities and other members of the local government visited the disaster risk-related technologies that aim to make it more familiar to the public.
The city of Tacloban and Eastern Visayas, together with the Filipino people will never forget the horrors brought by Typhoon Yolanda but with science and technology and our unyielding spirit, let these shape our Filipino resiliency so we can truly become a more Handa Pilipinas.
For more information and updates, follow HANDA PILIPINAS 2023 Official Facebook page: facebook.com/dost.handapinas.
