Cover-ups and the blame game

Two weeks have passed since the supertyphoon “Haiyan” made her presence felt in central Philippines.  So far, about 5,000 people were reported dead, and thousand more missing and left homeless.  The infrastructures lost were reportedly worth billions of pesos already.  Sadly, the snail-paced response of the Philippine government got the ire of a lot of Filipinos both here and abroad. More unfortunate is the unsavory reaction of public officials on the criticisms hurled against them.  Instead of making improvement and dealing with the issues head-on,  they resorted to cover-ups and the blame game. 

First, when CNN correspondent  Anderson Cooper reported on the miserable situation of the people in Tacloban and the seemingly lack of government presence , no less than the President himself responded by saying that reporters should give accurate reports.  A lot of Filipinos gave mixed reaction to that statement of the President.  Who should we believe? The President sitting in air-conditioned room at the Malacanang Palace, or the reporter on the field?    But one thing is sure,  Mr. Anderson Cooper is a hero and has endeared himself to the Filipinos for his accurate reporting. 

Second, the President when interviewed live on CNN chided the local officials for the slow paced response,  and confusion in the relief distribution.  Again, this statement led most Filipinos to curse this government.  Either the President was ill-advised or just plain stupid.  Maybe he forgot that  Tacloban and most of Leyte has just been ravished by  a supertyphoon packing winds of around 300 kph.  Everyone in Leyte are victims of “Haiyan” including local officials.  Hours after the calamity, no local government unit there was functioning.  In fact some government officials and employees went missing.  They were helpless.  And here comes our dear President blaming the local officials for causing confusion on the relief distributions…  ?!#$!! L

Third,  when tons of relief goods starting pouring in, for reasons only known to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, they decided to re-pack these, and labeled with the name “DSWD” on the packs.  When confronted by local media, they simply stated that they need to check on the food items received because they might be expired already.  Someone familiar with the underworld said that days or weeks from now,  some of these imported relief goods might already be seen on the streets being sold by vendors.  How insulting could that be for the givers.  I don’t know what this government is up to.... God help the Philippines.    

Super typhoon

Supertyphoon with international name "Haiyan" just ravished central Philippines last November 8, 2013.  It first landed in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, then proceeded to Northern Cebu, Panay, then Palawan, before it exited to the West Philppine seas.  Because of its very wide area of coverage, the three main islands of the country - Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were affected.  However, its wrath was felt the most in the Visayas,particularly in Tacloban, Leyte.

Prior to November 8, 2013, everybody was already bracing for the coming of the supertyphoon.  The Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA, had been issuing regular updates as it approaches.  For us, ordinary citizens we were also preparing ourselves. Some tips on the preparation -

1. Pray.  Seek divine intervention for protection and strength in the midst of the calamity;
2. Prepare psychologically.  Hope for the best, but expect the worst.
3. Arm yourselves with all the necessary facts regarding the upcoming storm - the location, the strength, the possible damage it could cause.
5. Place in a backpack the following - extra shirt, light pants, undergarments, blanket, basic medicines like paracetamol, mefenamic acid and antibiotic, canned goods with the easy-open can, bread and/or biscuits, and water.
6. Get all important documents like passport, identification cards, birth certificates, employment records, transcript of school records, bankbooks, land titles,  and put it in a plastic envelope to secure them from getting wet, and place inside the backpack.
7. Using a backpack is convenient to free both of your hands which you may need in case a member of the family, especially the elderly, need assistance in case of mandatory evacuation.
8. Always have a transistor radio (battery-operated) on hand because power supply will not be available during the onset of the typhoon.  Getting updates on what is happening outside your area, as well as the location of the eye of the typhoon is important in order to prepare on the next possible move. Be vigilant and observant on what is happening around.
9. Stack-up on drinking water and food that does not spoil easily. Have an adequate supply of bread and biscuits.
10. Fill your vehicles with gas as it might be difficult to buy gasoline after the typhoon.
11. Have sufficient cash on hand in case ATMs would go off-line if power supply ran out.
12. Likewise, have an adequate supply of candles, batteries, and get your flashlights always ready on hand.  Since power supply will not be available after a supertyphoon, evenings will definitely be dark.
13. Finally, after everything has been prepared, pray, pray, pray, pray.....

Stacking up on adequate supply of drinking water is a must in times of calamity

A transistor radio has become a necessity for updates on the typhoon. 

November 1 & 2

For Filipinos, November 1 & 2 meant going to the cemeteries to pay respect to their dearly departed.  Every year, we never fail to visit the grave of my late father who has been laid to rest at Calamba cemetery, a Roman Catholic public cemetery being managed by the San Nicholas parish located at V. Rama Ave., Cebu City.  And every year, i never fail to be disappointed and disgusted about how the cemetery, supposedly a solemn place, has been converted into a commercial area where merchants display their wares for prospective buyers.  I wonder if the Catholic priests are also making a windfall over the earnings made during the two-day event.  Only in the Philippines... :-(

During All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2) Filipinos from all walks of life, young and old,  visit their dearly departed and pray for the eternal repsose of their souls.

Public cemeteries, considered as a solemn place, has been converted into a brisk commercial area during the two (2) day-event.

Lighting a candle in memory of our loved ones have been a tradition for Filipinos during All Saints and All Souls day celebrated on November 1 and 2 respectively.