My foolish thoughts about Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng and SONA

Few months ago, pres. Arroyo delivered her State of the Nation Address. In her SONA she highlighted her major accomplishments. Some of which includes development of infrastructure, irrigation projects, flood control projects, establishment of many schools for students, lowering of poverty rate, lowering of unemployment rate, and practically, she bragged about her projects of progress. She also made sure that her critics will be slapped by her indirect yet insulting words.

Few months after she delivered her SONA, typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng visited the country. Typhoon Pepeng have not left the country yet but its wrath is causing suffering to the people of affected areas specifically in Nothern part of Luzon. More than a week has also passed, yet residents of Marikina, Laguna, Quezon, Pasig, and Rizal, among others are still experiencing the fury of typhoon Ondoy. Now, thousands of victims depend on the relief goods from public and private entities. With the destructive rage of typhoon Pepeng, not only lives were lost but millions of agricultural and infrastructures were left useless. Redemption may even take long because of the massive damage caused by both typhoons.

In merely a span of 9 hours, two typhoons were enough to take what were bragged about by the president. It is even doubtful whether the flood control projects, infrastructure and other projects were sturdy and quality-guaranteed because flash flood in few hours is enough to ruin it. With the unemployment and poverty rate, I guess the rate has ballooned because more and more lost their properties, businesses, and jobs.

Meanwhile, as to her statement against those living in glass houses, there is no doubt that she and her family are among those people she pointed out. Few months after her SONA, the first family’s wealth ballooned. There are mansions discovered to have been bought millions of dollars. Foreign visits have also been regular that even family members were with her. The dinner was more than enough to qualify for the criteria of a glass house life.

With the typhoon Ondoy and Pepng, we are reminded of the president’s vision for the country. It also ruined the progress that the president mentioned in her SONA. Sometimes, I foolishly think that maybe Ondoy and Pepeng came to tell the Filipino that she was lying in her SONA. But, beyond that, the aftermath of the typhoon is clear proof of the administration’s failure to protect the country and the Filipino people from calamities. This failure puts the people in doubt whether the government can be an entity to be help upon in times of need or whether it will cause a hell kind of life.

Typhoon Ondoy and my grievances

from Time.com

Sadly, our country has been visited by a devastating typhoon and unforgettable calamity. The typhoon Ondoy that destructed lives, properties, dreams and hopes of our fellowmen is really unforgiving. The situation of the victims has really stricken every witness’ heart to feel for the victims. As for me, I wanted to give millions of money or lots and lots of foods but I do not have that amount and capacity.

One thing, however, that we can be thankful is that the incident happened before election. This unfortunate event really calls for a united cause of helping the victims. But as we have observed, the help has poured liberally through the additional help from the politicians. For many instances, Erap has been shown in the television visiting the affected places and giving stubs for relief goods. Noynoy and Mar have also made their share by spending their campaign funds for the basic needs of our affected fellowmen. Manny Villar, on the other hand, used his properties in giving away foods for the victims. This was time also for Gibo to be made known more in the general public through the NDCC. Well, of course, it is his responsibility to respond during these kinds of incidents. Many more politicians have reached out but their names were not that noisy in the media and press.

At least, at this time of disaster, some politicians are making their share. However, it is so sad hearing the grievances of some victims who were not reached by any government agencies for immediate response. The Malacanan has even soliciting for more aids, particularly foreign aids, in order to have more for the victims. It is also sad to know that after 4 days from that horrifying day, the victims have not recovered yet. Many have lost their houses and properties and beginning life from zero have been difficult for them.

During this time of disaster, why is it that, the government lacks hand to help and lacks resources to share. The government has been entrusted to be the protector and savior of the people. The people in position were entrusted to sit where they are sitting right now to help when needed. Then why is it that help is not adequate and we still have to beg from other countries for help. Can’t the government release at once an amount that will cover the finances of those in need? Is losing life still not enough before they act? It is so sad that the institution we have entrusted is failing to save us from these kinds of disasters. Thanks, however, to the private institutions that have been active and effective in reaching for the victims of the flash flood. Without them, more could have been included in the list of casualties.

Well, what should we expect from some Congressmen like this one

("Was buying food for keeps... then we saw Mikey Arroyo in Rustans Liquor Section asking the salesman for a brand of hard alcoholic drink. Effin Crazy! Just a few kilometers... away from Katipunan, people are needing help for search and rescue, and there he was buying bottles of alcohol"- person who took this photo.)
This already circulated in facebook, taken on the day typhoon Ondoy devastated our fellowmen. There are really some heartless people who still managed to enjoy life despite many lives have been shouting for help!