I was able to drive up North and what I saw reminded me of images of Iraq or Afghanistan. The swath of destruction caused by Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng is really very serious. Luzon is like a war zone. And with US troops there, with their helicopters and troops, it seems like World War two once again.
Those floating bodies in Zambales is nothing sort of surreal. Those stone buildings destroyed by strong winds remind one of the devastation in 1967 (as narrated to me by my mother).
Meanwhile, over here in Metro Manila, swarms of flies and mosquitoes are invading huge piles of garbage littered in almost all cities, from Montalban to Muntinlupa. Metro Manila is one huge garbage dump. After those floods, expect diseases and illnesses. And this will not happen only in cramped evacuation centers; this will definitely afflict even those not flood-stricken.
It was like the entire system already broke down.
Some people I talked with said that this is the time for real change to happen. If those idealist soldiers failed in four occasions to change this Nation, it only took Nature to do it in two days. Government right now has the responsibility of rehabilitating our damaged institutions and rebuild those destroyed infrastructure.
We need leadership. We need direction.
If government fails to provide one, let’s all chip in and do it ourselves. Let’s be leaders, not just heroes.
If government boasts of having the resources for a clean up but did not do it as promised, let’s get our brooms and do it ourselves. If government says that it has all the money to rebuild those roads and bridges but fail, let’s chip in and those who are contractors join in, and do it ourselves. If we see piles upon piles of garbage along city streets and other areas, ask around how you can help.
Government is good only during tax collections.
And in these times where a Nation bleeds and mourns, licking its deadly wounds, the Motherland needs people who will stand up and provide the vision we sorely need.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Noynoy-Roxas will likely say that their leadership will move Pinas infrastructure to world class standards able to withstand the worst typhoon ever to have hit Pinas in the past 10 years.
Erap will say the same (and probably add “got rudely interrupted by the metro-Manila elitist burgis”) if asked why he didn’t do it when he was already in Malacanang.
Manilans should be realistic: government will not do anything about the problem without constant bullying from the people.
Manilans can push for a flood control system (which will probably cost billions) by forming a strong lobby group. This should be composed by influential businessmen, experts in the environmental field and related areas, especially those in the field civil engineering and city planning. The lobby group should be well-funded and they should have numbers, a lot of numbers, on their side. You leave government to deal with the problem on their own cognizance. be prepared for floods and tragedy on a yearly basis.
Unlike some provinces which experience flooding seasonally, Manila has the people, expertise, money and connection to push government for a workable solution. Hindi sa dasal o sa reklamo sa TV at newspapers. ORGANIZATION.
Actually typhoon Ondoy revealed the results of our “doing it ourselves”. When left to our own devices, we approach things with our characteristic bahala na and pwede na yan mentalities. And we do things with impunity.
Throw da bazura out da window into a passing train. Bahala na.
Build a drain pipe from our toilets into da Pasig River. Pwede na yan.
Bizarre, considering that the modern world around us abounds with modern solutions. And the Web delivers these right into the comforts of our living rooms. Yet we fail to heed them.
Not even avalanches of trash and multiple ferry disasters that kill thousands effectively bring the message across.
Filipinos simply refuse to learn.
That previous sentence describes the mother of all fundamental issues that afflict the Filipino. A refusal to LEARN.
Often children who get a good spanking learn — more so children who actually experience the pain of touching a hot kettle firsthand. But the Filipino in the last 50 YEARS has gotten a LOT more than a good spanking AND far more than a benign blister from touching a hot kettle. Thousands are killed, entire generations are lost, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities irrevocably missed because of our REFUSAL TO LEARN.
And the lessons that need to be learned aren’t rocket science. They are things that get taught in Grade Three classes.
ORGANIZE. LOBBY. PULL STRINGS. The PEOPLE PLANNING are people power.
In other words:
Platform, plez™
I mean on this specific issue of flooding in MM. It’s very doable. Think of how much we can save in real estate values and potential investment. If this keeps happening, the reverse will be true.
Pat,
Couldn’t it be time to blame BIG BAD GOVERNMENT rather than propose something too comical out of your own personal frustration?
primer,
uh? what? ah, its hopeless. last time I’ll answer you.
With all due respect to patricio, people are already picking up the pieces. With some help from the government, perhaps motivated in part by fear of an angry citizenry.
As for those who had the gall to blame us (the victims) even as we tried and continue to try to make the best of the situation, mahiya ka naman. O baka nakalimutan mo na rin ang hiya sa tagal mo dyan.
Hindi nakakain ang “hiya”. :-D
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/173921/ondoy-takes-family-on-wild-ride-down-raging-river/_/2/
Amazing family, heroic ordeal, fattens the heart.
What does the Bible say about building houses on sand?
Joe
Media and local government executives have asked Noynoy about his platform on revenue-sharing. Here is a report:
Noynoy said — Funding only for performing LGUs
Here is cut-and-paste from the news report.
http://newsbreak.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6910&Itemid=88889051
UP n Grad, so obvious you are against NoyNoy et al
You know, I have heard at least one Pinoy — Imelda — saying bongBong would be extremely OK President.
This is the reason I always stated: We need a Leader who can really
lead. Not a Charismatic, rethoric speaking leader. The Leader must
know where he or she wants to take us. People will follow if such
a Leader will emerge.
too much emotion invested in this useless article.
joma yes but its not an article. so that makes it a useless blog post.
the problem with you joma and ettanica is simple—you don’t think. that’s why you’re dingoes.
haha. and you replied in a more emotional manner.
Let’s rehabilitate our culture before we rehabilitate our country.