Manila, Aug. 12 -- Senator Loren Legarda on Wednesday appealed to national and local authorities to move away from the cycle of flood response and rehabilitation and instead invest more in prevention, safe evacuation facilities and nature-based solutions.

The appeal came after the southwest monsoon, intensified by tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, again flooded communities, displaced families and disrupted livelihoods, affecting more than 1.3 million Filipinos.

"Hindi pwedeng taun-taon pareho ang eksena, baha, paglikas, relief operations, paglilinis, tapos aantayin nanaman natin ang susunod na bagyo. Kailangan natin seryosohin ang pagpigil sa panganib bago pa ito maging sakuna. Mas mura, mas makatao, at mas epektibo ang pag-iwas kaysa...