Typhoon Kalmaegi’s Devastation Exposes Chronic Failures in Philippine Disaster Response

The recent rampage of Typhoon Kalmaegi across the central Philippines — with winds reaching 87 miles per hour and devastating floods — has once again highlighted a grim reality: the failure of government authorities to protect vulnerable communities from recurring natural disasters. While Tropical Storms like this one batter the region annually, the tragic loss of at least two lives and mass displacement exposes deeper issues of inadequate infrastructure, poor emergency response, and ineffective planning. Why Are Filipinos Repeatedly Left Defenseless Against Natural Disasters? Kalmaegi tore through provinces already reeling from previous calamities, including Cebu, still recovering from a recent...