By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas

howling.”
The strength of the typhoon now known as Ompong is scary. More than 200 hundred kilometers per hour of speed and gustiness at around 250 kilometers per hour. While not as strong as Yolanda, it is still a super typhoon. The warning aired repeatedly, “don’t take it lightly,” says it all.
In the Cagayan region, rescuers were shown on TV preparing their gear and whatever would be required like ropes, life jackets, etc. Cagayan and Isabela even issued orders banning the sale of liquor beverages as well as the drinking of these. For in past experiences, many died because they were drunk when storms hit these provinces. Drinking results in many deadly attitudes in the midst of emergency situations. A drunk might not pay attention to warnings: “Oho! Mamati kad ta.” He might even add, “mayat ti bagyo ta madanuman ti talon.” So the said orders or measures are good considering the stupidity of many of us.
TV footages this morning (Thursday) included fisher folk tying with ropes their roofs made of coconut leaves. One roof didn’t look good with ropes crisscrossing it. But better safe than pretty. We see on TV year-in ad year-out such kind of weak houses made of light materials. Why don’t they have the sense to come up with better houses that will not be blown away every time Mother Nature unleashes its wrath? At least, we Cordillerans have that sense, to build sturdier houses.
The Ilocos Provinces as early as Wednesday declared Thursday and Friday as holidays. We still have to see that kind of foresight in the Cordillera even if we will be as badly affected. Why not declare Friday a holiday so people can prepare for the typhoon? Never mind if workers will have to replace the work day or students having to hold make up classes. At least these will be done in good time, on better days. Which would mean better work output or better absorption of lessons by the students.
In Metro Manila, one middle aged woman in Marikina was interviewed on TV and she said that she had learned her lesson. She will immediately evacuate right after hearing the first alarm to do so. She hesitated last time and many members of her family were glad to have made it to evacuation centers. Many of them almost did not make it. Well, perhaps their appointment with St. Peter was not confirmed.
Speaking of evacuation, there is also a super typhoon about to hit the states of Virginia and North and South Carolina. The governor of one of these states went on TV to tell the people that the state has more than enough resources in evacuation centers and people should take advantage of these resources. He warned, “When the storm surges come rolling in, rescuers will not be able to reach you.”
How I wish government officials here in the Philippines can go on TV and tell the people that there are more than enough resources in evacuation centers. This is of course wishful thinking. In our evacuation centers the reality is there might not be enough food, you might have to wait for donations from ABS-CBN or GMA7. Portable comfort rooms? These would only be a dream. You will have to share a single CR with hundreds others. Sleeping bags? Forget it. These are luxuries by Philippine standards. The government would not even be able to give you a “banig or kamen” or straw mat. Bring your own.
So more than enough resources? We are in the Philippines, man.
We can only do the basic preparation. On my part, I placed a tire on top of a critical part of the roof to protect the gutter, and removed items on the yard that the wind can blow away to kingdom come. I could have placed more tires or hollow blocks on other parts of the roof but seeing the numerous screws that fastened the GI sheets into the steel purlins, I thought this would not be necessary. Hopefully.
If not for this issue of this paper, I could have climbed a tree to cut its branches that could fall on two of my junk cars I still have to work on to make them road worthy. My other junks are on safer spots.
As to electricity supply, as long as the BENECO “service drop” line to our electric meter by the gate will be live, we will have no problem because I buried the lines from the meter to the house—they will be OK come hell or whatever.
But still, I will be awake all throughout the night as long as the wind keeps howling.
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