Katrina

I remember in 1992, we gathered a lot of people involved in disaster in this country. Only 19 agencies out of at least 24 came. We fed them lunch and gave them our view about the need for public warning systems. They appreciated the idea but they could not work on it then.

Six years thereafter, a community type of public warning "human network" was experimented in the vicinity of Mayon Volcano. They claimed that when an explosion occurred at Mayon Volcano, there were 0 percent casualties.

This kind of network might not work for another killer earthquake accompanied by a tsunami - the proportions of which would be in the likes of Indonesia et al. Or Hurricane Katrina in the U.S.

A public warning system is effective. It works in tandem with a precision system for disaster detection.

The Philippines is within the earthquake belt. It had already suffered several killer earthquakes in the past. Volcanic eruptions. Mini tsunamis - like the one in Quezon Province.

Definitely, we need a warning system.

Personally, I don't think it has less value than what our prized bright minds are propagandizing all the time, that they need to have people support so they can take over a little office by the River.

What's so special about that office by the River if when there is no warning system, the moment they sit on that office, the River overflows and kills them all without nary an advance sign or aviso? The heck with these idiots.

It is hoped that we can set our priorities right and do away with things stupid, reckless and utterly mediocre. Let's pray that we will not have a disaster in the magnitude of Indonesia-Sri Lanka's tsunami and U.S.' Katrina, for now.