Typhoon Ompong is the strongest tropical cyclone that hit the country this year.
Before dawn on September 14, Ompong wreaked havoc in the province of Cagayan.
Several houses and some hectares of plantations were destroyed by the typhoon.
Aerial view of the housing community in Baggao, Cagayan, where Typhoon Ompong, internationally known as Super Typhoon Mangkhut made its first landfall
Apart from Cagayan, Benguet, Isabela and Ilocos Region were also battered.
In Benguet, more than 70 people died in the landslide in Itogon during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.
In October, Typhoon Rosita entered the country and made its landfall.
Typhoon Rosita onslaught in Watwat Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya on October 30, 2018
Unlike Ompong, Rosita was weaker than Ompong however it barreled past Northern Luzon.
It wreaked havoc in the provinces of Isabela and other nearby provinces.
Aside from the Benguet landslide, a massive landslide also occurred in Naga, Cebu.
Aerial shot of Naga, Cebu after a tragic landslide struck the city
On September 20, a part of a mountain in Brgy. Tinaan collapsed.
More than 80 individuals were buried alive in the incident.
On August 28, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) discovered a huge chunk of the mountain, which was then recommended as not threatening.
Naga mayor ordered the cease of quarrying in the area, however, MGB advised the resume of the operation.
But rock fissure went massive due to non-stop rain. Then the soil quality weakened and caused rock slides.
After the deadly incident, the local government decided to relocate the affected residents in the area.
Meanwhile, Mayon Volcano has started belching ashes in January.
White smoke coming out of the Mayon volcano on the morning of February 15, 2018. (UNTV Drone Journalism)
PHIVOLCS has been monitoring the abnormal volcanic activities of Mayon since August 2017.
Due to its volcanic eruption, many nearby cities were covered with ashes.
Many plantations were damaged due to ashes which can caused health risks to residents.
Many residents residing within the 6-kilometer radius evacuated in fear of lava flow.
The volcanic activity lasted for a month.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that they will further intensify their efforts to prepare Filipinos in times of calamities.
“Marami na tayo nagagawa kung tutuusin pero for a disaster-prone country like the Philippines, dapat palagi tayo nag-iinovate. We should continue to reinvent, not to reinvent but enchance kasi yung palagi nating sinasabi yung bago mag-Yolanda yung abnormal noon is the new normal now. So dapat level up din tayo hindi lang sa responde kundi sa pagaaral,” said NDRRMC Spokesperson Edgar Posadas.
Meanwhile, at the Congress, the proposed creation of Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) has been passed and is awaiting the approval of the Senate.
The DDR is the primary agency to focus on preparation, response, and rehabilitation in areas struck by a calamity.
Once signed into law, the NDRRMC will be abolished. — Mon Jocson | UNTV News & Rescue
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