As we write this column, one powerful typhoon has just exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, and another major one is hovering in its northeastern periphery. The forecast is that these are not going to be the last weather disturbances this month, nor this year, and weather agencies have been saying, “brace for more,” because it is La Niña season.

These developments and forecasts have heightened our collective anxiety.

We have learned to dread weather disturbances for which we only have one name: “Bagyo,” and synonymously, “unos.” Weather agencies have more specific labels: lowpressure area, tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, typhoon, and super typhoon. For us, they are all “Bagyo” and the idea that one is hovering near our country sends chills up our spine.

This is expected.

After all, the destructive effects of weather disturbances are all so familiar to us. They cause deaths, destruction to property, disruption of commerce, interruption of our routine activities, and a drain on our energies and resources.

They also remind us of our vulnerability to the forces of nature and our helplessness in these situations. We cannot stop, redirect, or mitigate the strengths of weather disturbances. We can only track them, brace for their onslaught, and pray that the structures we built will be able to withstand them.

Weather disturbances have positive effects.

Here is what scientists say.

One, they bring water to dry areas. They replenish our dams, bring back rivers, brooks, and rivers to life. Two, they help clean the environment by washing away pollutants from the air and surfaces. Three, they help scatter plant seeds in various places. Fourth, they help replenish inland plant life. Scientists say fresh nutrients and sediment brought in by major weather disturbances can spawn growth spurts in new plant life. This, in turn, can later lead to growth in animal life. Five, they break up bacteria and red tide. Friends from major fishing provinces like Bataan say the red tide scourge, which perennially affects mollusks and shellfish in that area, happens when there is no rain for an extended period of time.

Think about this: If only we can be confident that we have what it takes to withstand the onslaught of major weather disturbances and that we can get back on our feet after they have passed, we would actually welcome them.

In our country, there is one more positive effect that the series of major weather disturbances has brought about: It has exposed major weaknesses and gaps in our socio-political structures and institutions.

Thanks to the typhoons which caused floods in many parts of our country, our nation has now better understood the current process and practices involved in planning flood-control projects, how taxpayers’ money is allocated, who actually implements these projects, and how implementation is actually done.

The serious weather disturbances exposed both extensive weaknesses in the system and the outright malice on the part of certain parties involved in and who opted to manipulate the process.

They brought to light the glaring absence of coordination and collaboration. To this very day, we still see on social media the video of local government officials complaining about what they say has been the blatant disregard by officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways of the importance of coordinating with LGUs in the implementation of flood-control projects. Many of these LGU officials say they have not been consulted nor given the courtesy of being informed.

We have said before in this column that this is not just a matter of the lack of coordination; this is also unfair and unjust to LGU executives. We all know that as these flood-control projects fail and communities are inundated, the first to be blamed are not the DPWH officials. The people’s anger is directed first to the local executives who had not been consulted or informed about these projects.

We are glad that our lawmakers, particularly our senators, appear to have realized that this malpractice has resulted in a serious erosion of trust among our countrymen. Over the weekend, a senator had suggested that a snap election covering national officials and legislators be held to restore the trust of our countrymen in our system. We do not know if this would be a wise move. We are happy that, at least, our national leaders are now thinking of drastic actions.

One thing is important when a storm rages: That is, our collective calm. The less we panic, the better our chances of survival. Calm helps our brain work, enabling us to map out options and put together a plan.

That is what our national leadership may need right now: to be calm; to project calm; and to call the nation to calm.

This is the first step in ensuring that we can weather this “storm,” get back on our feet, and emerge a stronger, better nation.

(The author is a Doctor of Medicine, an entrepreneur and the mayor of Antipolo City, former Rizal governor, and DENR assistant secretary, LLDA general manager.Email: [email protected])