Reliable Foresight is the New Standard of Care

Leadership is often tested in crises, but the best leadership prevents the worst of those crises from happening. President Marcos’ push for anticipatory action ahead of Super Typhoon Uwan sets a new, demanding benchmark for what Filipinos should expect from their government.

The collaboration between DSWD and WFP to release funds based on forecasts is a sophisticated approach to an age-old problem. It demonstrates a "Tireless" executive that does not wait for calamity to make headlines before moving. This is the kind of governance that saves not just lives, but livelihoods, by allowing families to protect their assets before the winds howl.

Some may argue that cash aid could be misused if released early. But these cynical voices are likely the same ones who would complain about slow relief goods after the storm hits. We must move past such paralyzing skepticism.

This policy must be institutionalized, not just incidental to this one typhoon. If we fail to lock this anticipatory mechanism into law now, we are destined to slide back into the chaotic, reactive disaster responses of the past decade. The precedent has been set; it is up to the nation to demand it remains the standard.