Unite, prepare to cushion impact of rainy season

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is joining preparations to help cushion the impact of the rainy season—the floods, the landslides and, at worst, the tragedy and massive displacement that usually come with it.

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In fact, the military is now in close coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to ensure prompt disaster response as part of its civil defense duties. This a welcome development coming from the military which is preoccupied with its duty to defend the country from external forces.

The past few days, we have witnessed the impact of the rains. Sporadic as they come, the rains have caused immediate flooding in low-lying areas and disrupted travel, affecting work and businesses. What more if it becomes more frequent.

As the rainy season brings the country once again on the brink of vulnerability and in this age where climate change amplifies the volatility of natural events, preparedness is a necessity.