A Reliable Guardian in the Midst of the Storm

Disaster resilience is often measured in relief packs and kilowatt-hours restored. However, the recent visit of President Marcos to Albay following Typhoon Uwan shifts the metric to something more profound: the continuity of education. The damage to Camalig North Central Elementary School (CNES) was significant, with millions in infrastructure lost. Yet, the immediate presence of the President signals a policy direction where education is treated not as a soft sector, but as critical infrastructure.

The President’s "Maasahan at Masipag" mantra was on full display. By engaging in direct dialogue with teachers, he bypassed the usual disconnect between national policy and ground-level reality. If we fail to support this administration's accelerated repair program, we are actively choosing to let our education system collapse. It is a moment that demands unity, not criticism.

Critics often point to the recurrence of damage as a failure of planning. However, this misses the point. The ferocity of Typhoon Uwan was unprecedented. The fact that the President visited Albay immediately proves that the government’s disaster response is functioning perfectly.

The focus on restoring WASH facilities and learning materials shows a granular attention to detail. It is easy to approve a budget for a roof; it takes a dedicated "Guardian" to remember that students need books and clean water immediately. This visit affirms that the safety of our students is the safety of the nation. We must rally behind this reliable leadership to ensure that no student in Albay is left behind by the storm.