#AnimatED: We choose to remember

A wave of remembrances of the pain and devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) is washing over us—and it is both balm and vinegar.  

In what was considered the strongest typhoon to hit land, Yolanda killed more than 6,000 people and displaced at least 4 million. It unleashed its wrath on Eastern Visayas, exacting a staggering toll worth P89 billion ($1.97 billion). 

A year later, many take comfort in the ways the country is commemorating this tragedy, helping to find closure. The memorial wall in Tacloban, which lists the names of all those who died in the coastal city, is one of these. 

Remembering the kindness showed by strangers, neighbors, aid agencies, volunteers, soldiers, non-governmental organizations, from the entire stretch of the country to distant lands, lifts the spirit as well. 

But this surge of emotions and images leaves a residue, like acid on wound. It makes us ache for much more.  

Families who still live in tents and men and women who have not recovered from lost livelihoods are frustrated. Many students have yet to return to normal classrooms. 

Reconstruction normally takes 4 to 5 years, experts say, and they expect that the country will gain more momentum next year. This, we sincerely hope so. 

We have seen how a weak government structure has hobbled rehabilitation efforts. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, for all its good intentions, lacks clout and resources. It is a multi-agency body that doesn’t possess the agility to quickly respond to disasters. Panfilo Lacson, rehabilitation secretary, has been likened to a “CEO without a budget.”  

It’s time that lawmakers seriously think of a permanent agency that will effectively address disaster prevention, preparedness and management—and plan for the long-term. 

We, citizens, have to do our share, too, starting with putting readiness in our DNA—and choosing to remember. – Rappler.com