Manila, Philippines – SEASON OF CALAMITY – In this season of typhoons, floods, landslides, earthquakes, and other natural calamities and disasters it’s best to be prepared. But come to think of it, man “provoked” nature’s wrath. Think of illegal logging and mining, polluting waterways, building shanties along rivers and esteros (and clogging them with garbage), and some such destructive habits.
Sen. Loren Legarda’s “Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook” is most helpful. Her message reads in part:
“Early warning and early detection shouldbe at the very heart of our efforts. Through this manual, I strive to help everyone understand the risks we face and equip ourselves with preventive measures to lessen, if not eliminate, the impact of natural hazards. We must be ready to face these hazards and we must know what to do in order to secure ourselves in case of disaster.
*
WHAT TO HAVE – The manual ends with tips, suggestions on “What to Have During Emergencies.” Highspeed them:
- First aid kit – should include medicines and essentials for primary treatment of fever, diarrhea, cough, colds, wounds and other common ailments
- Flashlights, candles, matches and fresh, spare batteries
- Portable radio and fresh, spare batteries
- Whistle
- Cellphone
- Portable drinking water in sealed containers
- Basic equipment for the needs of infants, the elderly, and the disables
- Non-perishable foodstuff like easy-open canned goods sufficient for three days
- Blankets, clean clothes, raincoats, rubber boots, tissue paper and other sanitary supplies
- Money, including loose change
- Large and sturdy plastic bags that can be used to store and protect various important items and documents
- Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook
Incoming search terms:
- editorial about illegal logging
- calamity and disaster preparedness
