MALACAÑANG’s pronouncement of a “zero-casualty” goal ahead of the onslaught of Typhoon “Ompong” this weekend raised not a few eyebrows, as the public has been inured to death tolls caused by extreme weatherdisturbances. Ompong, in fact, was the world’s strongest typhoon this year, thus far. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), however, follows a different scale — cyclones must reach the threshold of 220 kph of sustained winds to be classified as a super-typhoon. The coordinated government response to Ompong may even prove to be a model in disaster preparedness amid heightened risks and very limited resources. We hope the government incorporates the insights and lessons gained in the aftermath of Typhoon Ompong to the further improvement the way the country prepares for and responds to natural disasters.

Source: Manila Times September 15, 2018 17:03 UTC