Local responders must be non-partisan

The series of typhoons, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the earthquakes, the volcano eruptions reminds us of how much we have done for the environment as individuals, as a group or community and as far as governance. 

We are faced with more than 20 storms every year yet by the looks of it marami pa din ang namamatay, tumataas ang baha, at lumalawak ang damage sa mga bahay at infrastructures.

Ang matindi nito we are getting slower and poorer when it comes to response and relief when calamities and disasters strikes. 

Ang immediate na nakikita ko  ay ang local city and municipal officials ay dapat mga regular workers, career or tenured and highly professional experts in their field at hindi mga political appointees ni mayor o ng local politicians. Mahalaga sila as first line of defenders and responders. 

Kabisado nila ang bawat barangay o purok, may continuity & advance planning at may strategy sa bawat pangyayari regardless kung sino ang nakapwestong politiko. Higit sa lahat, facilitator sila kapag may tulong mula sa national level– mabilis ang response. May continuity din ang mitigation measures. Hindi dapat pakialaman ng mga politiko ang roles, functions, positions at appointment nila.