Lessons from COVID-19 Compliance in Disaster Response in the Philippines

Families in high-risk areas of Antique province are being advised to evacuate preemptively due to Typhoon Leon’s expected heavy rains. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is closely monitoring water levels, particularly at the Sibalom River. Schools across 17 local government units have suspended in-person classes, with alternative learning modes activated for safety. Roads in Antique remain passable, and some families in particularly vulnerable areas have already relocated.

Editor’s Note: It’s crucial to remain vigilant about the broader implications of compliance, as seen in how governments previously leveraged fear and conformity during COVID-19 to push irrational policies. Governments normalized measures that compromised freedoms, often manipulating citizens into discriminating against anyone who dared question the imposed restrictions. The COVID-19 experience has emboldened some authorities to push further policies, like 15-minute cities, under the guise of safety but with an eye on control. [For reference, read this article: 15-Minute Cities: From COVID Lockdowns to Climate Lockdowns] We should be cautious of allowing any policy that restricts freedom to become normalized.

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