Daily Inquirer (emailed to: pr_metro@inquirer.com.ph)
October 25, 2009
Her Excellency
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Republic of the Philippines
Madame President, I have been watching almost every television footage on the sad plight of our Filipino brethren in Luzon and some parts of Visayas where more than TWO MILLION PEOPLE have been displaced as a consequence of the typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng with huge volume of flood water that destroyed their homes, farmlands and other agricultural products. Some people died of drowning; others are buried alive by landslides and some even risked their lives just to save the lives of other people.
In Mindanao, due to armed conflict, some 700 thousand people were displaced in Cotabato and another more or less 300 thousand in Jolo, Sulu. Until now, these INTERNAL DISPLACED PEOPLE remain homeless and starving.
These THREE (3) MILLION DISPLACED PEOPLE nationwide must be given TOP and PROMPT priorities overall other considerations. The longer they will SUFFER, the more it will result to an exodus of MALNOURISHED AND INFIRM PEOPLE which may lead to the HIGHEST MORTALITY and MORBIDITY RATE in Philippine history.
Our quick response system is exemplary but these evacuees need DECENT EVACUATION CENTERS befitting human beings. Our designated evacuation centers are not conducive to HUMAN HABITATION due to unsanitary environment that breads common diseases especially communicable diseases.
However, to balance the Philippine scenario on this projection, Local Government Units (LGUs) and other humanitarian sectors must initiate for the establishment of strong, stable and decent permanent evacuation center in every city, province, town and barangay to help these displaced people now and in the near future.
In view of the foregoing, the Mindanao Peace and Development Council (MPDC), a non-government organization strongly recommends the adoption of the hereto attach MODULE of evacuation center befitting human habitation.
Respectfully yours,
Col. Hiahia G. Hayudini
(AFT RET) Chairman, MPDC
ROLES and FUNCTIONS
1. To afford the INTERNAL DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPs) temporary decent shelter during times of calamities and serves as no fire zone for all combatants on conflict affected areas.
2. Responsible for LATERAL COORDINATION with other government concerned agencies and other humanitarian sectors for appropriate level of supplies / relief goods and for relocation and resettlement of the INTERNAL DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPs)
3. Provide immediate PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TECHNICAL, and VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS during calamities.
4. Provide immediate MEDICAL and COUNSELING ASSISTANCE during calamities.
5. Provide / Maintain training centers for SEARCH and RESCUE GROUPS.
6. Provide RECREATIONAL PARK for the evacuees.
• These EVAC-CENTERS constitute primarily the FIRST DEFENSE MECHANISM in SOUTH-EAST ASIA against disaster unpreparedness.
ROLES and FUNCTIONS
1. To afford the INTERNAL DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPs) temporary decent shelter during times of calamities and serves as no fire zone for all combatants on conflict affected areas.
2. Responsible for LATERAL COORDINATION with other government concerned agencies and other humanitarian sectors for appropriate level of supplies / relief goods and for relocation and resettlement of the INTERNAL DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPs)
3. Provide immediate PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TECHNICAL, and VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS during calamities.
4. Provide immediate MEDICAL and COUNSELING ASSISTANCE during calamities.
5. Provide / Maintain training centers for SEARCH and RESCUE GROUPS.
6. Provide RECREATIONAL PARK for the evacuees.
• These EVAC-CENTERS constitute primarily the FIRST DEFENSE MECHANISM in SOUTH-EAST ASIA against disaster unpreparedness.
