The recent Bagyong Tino showed us that Capiz is on the right track when it comes to disaster preparedness. Though the typhoon didn’t directly hit our province, the sense of alertness and organization we showed speaks volumes about how much we’ve learned since Bagyong Ramil. Those haunting days of flooded streets and stranded families have now become lessons that shaped how we respond to nature’s wrath.
Mayor Ronnie Dadivas of Roxas City has been firm in his call for vigilance and preparedness. His leadership, along with the efforts of our local disaster councils, barangay officials, and volunteers, has built a system that values quick response and cooperation. It’s comforting to see how far we’ve come from being caught off guard by previous storms to now being proactive and ready for any threat.
However, while we celebrate our progress, Bagyong Tino’s impact on neighboring provinces reminds us that preparedness should never stop. The destruction in Cebu and nearby areas is a sobering reminder that one province’s safety is not enough, we need a collective effort across the nation. Disasters don’t recognize borders. Our readiness should extend beyond our boundaries through shared resources, timely communication, and unified disaster response plans.
Preparedness starts at home. Families should know where to go during evacuations, what to pack in emergency kits, and how to help one another. Schools and workplaces should regularly conduct drills. Media and local organizations should help spread accurate information before, during, and after a disaster. These simple steps, when done together, create a ripple effect of resilience.
Capiz has proven that progress is possible when communities unite. But the challenge lies in consistency, maintaining preparedness even when the skies are clear. We cannot wait for another storm to remind us of what we already know. Every lesson learned from past typhoons should be turned into lasting action.
