This is a creative activity (creativity is problem-solving!), so best to just let it out. No idea is wrong or stupid or too small to make a difference. Send in yours.
STEP ONE: Identify what needs to be solved.
What do you think went wrong? Why? In what areas could we--private citizens, communities, government-- have done better? I'm listing initial areas of concern below, please feel free to add:
- Disaster preparedness
- Efficient communication lines to be able to pinpoint areas of most need in times of crises
- Facebook and Twitter as real-time mobilization tools (how to tap?)
- Donation system and transparency
- Efficient and effective deployment system for relief goods (continuous, reaches those in need by urgency of need, etc)
- Investments in technology and equipment (ex. rubber boats, Doppler radar for Pag-asa)
- Evacuation centers: locate (on higher ground, etc.), build, equip
- Environmental awareness and action
- Climate change awareness-- situation report in the Phil context, its consequences, action steps (on the community and individual levels)
- Managing trash in a time of crisis
- Littering as cause of blockage of canals
- Governance (things only government has the capacity to do)
- Release official advisories immediately, and on a regular basis (the media had to play this role because government didn't)
- Ensure a sense of calm (vs. panic)
- Implement laws on land use and property development
- Infrastructure: floodways, drainage system
STEP TWO: Top off mind solutions--let me have them.
Again, as a creative exercise, this is a time to let the ideas flow. There are many initiatives already being done as I write, and that's GREAT! We can never have too many volunteers, good deeds, or good ideas. The bayanihan spirit that's making a real comeback (maybe for the first time, in this scale, for our generation) needs to be harnessed, and replicated. Let's list what solutions worked, what didn't, what needs improvement.
- Most of the solutions are implemented on the community level...We can identify community leaders that are able (have the capacity) and willing to be point persons. This applies to all groups, whether big or small, formal or informal: barkadas, schools, family, sports club, church org, youth group, officemates, interest groups