Conduct regular barangay-based typhoon drills

We call on Local Government Units and other concerned agencies to include typhoon drills as part of their efforts in disaster preparedness.

As a means to strengthen disaster preparedness and educate our citizens on the necessity of evacuation operations and procedure during times of typhoons, LGUs and Regional Disaster Coordinating Councils should undertake typhoon drills on a regular basis.

Our schools and offices undertake earthquake drills regularly even if we have earthquakes perhaps once or twice a year, yet we do not have typhoon drills despite the fact that we have 20 typhoons hitting the country each year.

According to Local officials and rescue workers, when typhoons Pedring and Quiel hit, most homeowners refused to leave their property despite early warnings of flooding. This prompted a debate on whether the PNP and AFP should use forced evacuation procedures in such cases. Typhoon drills would address this concern as this will give the public the necessary information.

Disaster preparedness is the best way to ensure that lives are saved, and death and injuries brought down to a minimum. After visiting the disaster areas of Pampanga and Bulacan and conferring with local officials and our men from both the AFP and PNP, we see this drill as an effective way to educate and enlighten our citizens on the issue.

Buwagin ang mga sindikato sa likod ng mga batang hamog

We have received reports that these children are in fact used and supported by criminal syndicates that exploit minors. If true, then the PNP should go after the syndicates instead of simply pinning the blame on the minors and the Juvenile Justice Law.

The easiest thing to do is blame the law or the minors and in the process let these syndicates go scot-free. Is this their agenda? Absolve the criminal syndicates? If they eliminate these syndicates then there will be no minors involved in criminal activities run by syndicates.

Kasabwat ba ng ilang elemento ng PNP ang mga sindikato kaya ayaw nilang buwagin ang mga ito? May ‘cashunduan’ ba sa pagitan ng PNP at mga sindikato? Ayaw ko naman isipin na ang kaya lang ng PNP ay ‘yung mga bata o menor de edad.

Kung sino pa ang pinakadehado at inaabuso, ‘yun din ang pinag-iinitan ng PNP, ganun ba? Huwag naman sana ganun.

These minors are victims of exploitation and abuse by criminal syndicates and for the PNP to pin the blame on these minors and the law is to victimize these children all over again.

Buwagin ang mga sindikato at lalaho na ang mga batang hamog na pakawala ng mga sindikatong ito.