NOLCOM eyes conduct of climate change summits in all provinces in area of responsibility

Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is eyeing the conduct of climate change summits in all provinces within its area of responsibility or those from regions 1,2,3, and Cordillera.

“Preparation for calamities is not an easy thing to do. It is too tedious, that it may require us a year or two to really arrive at a 100% fully equipped status. The need to make the public aware about these environmental phenomena is indeed important,” NOLCOM Commander Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said.

Taking into account the aftermath of super typhoon “Yolanda” in the Visayas, Catapang underscored awareness and responsiveness as key elements in gearing the public during calamities, which could only be achieved by doing summits.

“Awareness is important. The terminologies we use during calamities should be clear and understandable to the public. Teaching them the meaning of these scientific terms helps them in responding appropriately,” he added.

Catapang vouched for the development of crisis management protocol encouraging not only government officials but also ordinary citizens as well to take the initiative in facilitating and providing assistance to areas affected by calamities.

“We only have one common enemy and that is climate change. Let’s help each other in terminating this adversary,” Catapang underscored. (CLJD/LGCC-PIA)

Tarlac capitol cancels Christmas party, donates money to ‘Yolanda’ survivors

The provincial government of Tarlac has called off its scheduled Christmas party next month and instead donated its budget to survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

“This is a show of solidarity to our kababayans in Regions 6,7, and 8. We donated the money to them so that we can do our share in the rebuilding of the lives of those who became unfortunate victims of this natural calamity,” Governor Victor Yap said.

Apart from cancelling the party, the home province of President Aquino also held a relief effort drive dubbed “Tawid Tulong Visayas” where several residents who were survivors of typhoon Santi last October gave food and non-food items.

These are now presently being delivered to the hardest hit areas in Central Philippines.

“I hope in our own simple way, we are able to help in easing the suffering of our kababayans there specially this holiday season,” Yap added. (CLJD/PIA )

There is life after the tragedy

The vicious rage of ‘Yolanda’.

Whose heart would not be broken, after witnessing peculiar scenarios we usually see on the mainstreams of fictional movies and films? Whose tears would not fall, after having a glimpse of death and nightmare, depicted on the realms of reality? Whose feelings would not be wounded, after hearing stories of transience and melancholy?

With the superior strength of this tropical cyclone, super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) is one of the strongest storms in the world, based on maximum windspeed and wide range, walloping and washing out large portions of Leyte, especially Tacloban.

Ravaging the central part of the Philippines, Yolanda, with maximum sustained winds of 275 kph, produced a deadly storm surge and brought to major parts of Visayas torrential rainfall, causing widespread flooding and massive mortality.

Accordingly, based on the latest statistics made by National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), there are at least 2, 000 people included in the updated death toll, with the lying possibility that this number might still grow in the succeeding rescue operations of the government.

Unlike any other environmental adversary Philippines has encountered, Yolanda’s aftermath, perhaps, is one of those which are primarily described as severe, deadly and fatal.

Due to its indescribable force, many lives were put into a mournful closing stage. The profound future and superb dreams of the aspiring generation were enclosed in the corners of broken hopes. Pictures of happy homes were scattered in devastated premises, like pieces of puzzle thrown in the midst of nowhere.

Beyond doubt, the tickling hours, when Yolanda is ravaging the country is undeniably agonizing, leaving everyone restless and hopeless.

Nevertheless, there is life after the tragedy – a chance to start anew, a moment to restore everything that has been destroyed and a possibility to get back into life, even after the threats, which once afflict our course of survival.

Notwithstanding the fact that Yolanda is the strongest typhoon we have encountered over the course of time, we shall never let go of the ideology that Filipinos are the strongest people on Earth. Thus, Philippines is the strongest nation in the universe.

In the long run, Filipinos are resilient and manage to be still, despite prolonged sufferings and shortcomings.

Even people from all over the world believe in our ability to survive and get back into life.

CNN, believing in the Filipino spirit, shares its belief towards Filipino’s utmost resiliency:

“At the end of the day, the Filipinos will just shake off dirt from their clothes and go about their business – and SMILE. They do not complain much, they will bear as long as they can. Maybe this is why they were given the ‘privilege’ of bearing the burden of the strongest typhoon ever recorded. The indomitable human spirit at its finest.”

It is of no doubt that beyond the recent catastrophe lies stories of hope. Truly, there is life after the tragedy. (LGCC/PIA)

GK celebrates 10 years of transforming Filipinos to modern ‘bayanis’

Celebrating ten years of servant leadership and social transformation, Gawad Kalinga (GK) rejoiced for continuously bringing out heroism in every ordinary citizen, through the spirit of bayanihan.

Tony Meloto, founder of GK, signified the power of love to transform communities, to turn slams into beautiful villages and to turn criminals into good citizens.

“The power of Gawad Kalinga is the power of love. We change many people’s lives and make everything possible, because we know how to love. And the only way to really heal a broken life is through love. That is Gawad Kalinga,” Meloto said during the closing ceremony of GK 10th Anniversary at GK Enchanted Farm.

GK aspirations have been focused in building the nation for the next generation and taking part in resolving social dilemma.

“GK is people power. We are all part of the solution to our social problems. This is what we do in Gawad Kalinga. We light up the torch of hope and the whole world believes we can change the Philippines,” Meloto explained.

As the organization turned ten, GK is committed to achieve its 2024 mission of ending poverty for five million families.

“Whatever we build now is a legacy to the next generation. Together, let us build our nation and end poverty by 2024. Remember to live more for others and less for ourselves. Let’s love our country more than anything else,” Meloto ended. (PIA/LGCC)