OPINION: CALAMITY GLO; FARMERS FOR ERAP
MANILA, OCTOBER 21, 2009 (TRIBUNE) by ERNESTO MACEDA - Typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” killed 800 persons. Now, over a hundred people have died of leptospirosis. Last year, typhoon “Reming” killed several hundreds in Bicol. Three years ago, a thousand people died in the landslide in Ginsaugon, Southern Leyte. Warning of terrible earthquakes have been issued. Over 1,000 died in sea disasters recently.Hundreds of thousands are in evacuation centers from Cagayan and Pangasinan to Metro Manila to Maguindanao.
Our flood control systems are non-existent or obsolete. There is confusion as to protocol or procedures for releasing water from the big dams. The disaster preparedness program needs to be revised and improved.
Government agencies admit they are overwhelmed. So where is the citizen to go, to hide, to run?
GMA and her Cabinet members keep asking for billions to solve the problem. P30 billion for agricultural rehab, P32 billion to resettle squatters from flood-prone areas, P20 billion to build the Parañaque spillway, P10 billion to dredge Laguna de Bay and the Pasig River, P10 billion for DPWH road repair, P10 billion for a new flood control and warning system for Metro Manila, P2 billion for damaged schools and more.
Where are we going to get all that money?
I remember the 1950s movie Calamity Jane. Now we have a Calamity Glo.
Cabral letters. DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral wrote us two letters. The first one clarified that the matter of sanitation in evacuation centers, including provision of enough toilet facilities, is the responsibility of the Department of Health.
The 2nd letter insists that DSWD personnel have been present and working in all areas affected by the typhoon and floods. She said that “DSWD has provided assistance worth more than P33.1 million to the affected families in Region III, IV-A and NCR.”
That’s the answer, Madame Secretary. With the extent of the damage, P33.1 million is just too small to reach every victim.
Daring. Six armed men dressed as SWAT policemen robbed the Rolex store at Greenbelt 5 in Makati last Sunday. Fortunately, two security men of Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tinga who was having lunch with his family on the 2nd floor noticed the robbery and responded, killing one robber while five others escaped with a cache of expensive watches. What did the Ayala security guards do?
Done at 11 a.m. on a Sunday, it was daring and showed how criminals feel so confident they will succeed.
Dominic Cabalza, 42, vice president of the Powerlifting Association was shot dead inside a QC Eatery.
Robbers also struck in Quezon City robbing and killing Rolly Humangit, 36, who had just withdrawn P150,000 from a bank branch at T. Morato Street, QC.
In Benguet, several vegetable traders were held up of the proceeds of their sales on the highway from Baguio to Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.
Yes, we are a crime-ridden country. Under this administration, there’s very little protection for the ordinary citizen. With Army and police uniforms so easy to buy, the poor citizen has no way of distinguishing being a government trooper or policeman and criminals.
In Northern Samar, NGO Karapatan accused the military of being responsible for the death of Fr. Wilmar Lucero.
Meanwhile in Sulu, the MILF/Abu Sayyaf blew up two bridges, one in Indanan and another in Talipao.
Farmers for Erap. In all Pulse Asia surveys, President Erap tops the ratings from farmer voters.
So it was no surprise that the Bukidnon Planters Association Inc. invited him to be their guest speaker at their annual general assembly last Sunday at the Central Mindanao University Gym at Maramag, Bukidnon.
Two thousand delegates coming from Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur and Cotabato listened and applauded President Erap as he announced his food security and agricultural development programs while assuring peace for Mindanao.
Welcoming President Erap, Mayor Jojo Binay, Rep. Bongbong Marcos and Joey de Venecia were Romeo Garcia, BPA president, Maramag Mayor Jose Obedencio, Former Gov. Carlitos Fortich, Dr. Iso Montalvan, BPA director, Servillano Alinsugay, Bukidnon Planters Association Cooperative chairman, and CMU acting president Dr. Rodrigo Malunao.
Also welcoming President Erap to Bukidnon were officials of the Del Monte Employees union and Dodong Polimar who heads a religious sect in Valencia, Bukidnon. Hundreds of Agilang Pilipino Members headed by Nilo Raymundo, Jojo Longcob, Bobby Seelin and Kenneth Ching welcomed President Erap at the Cagayan de Oro airport and at Valencia.
All set. The proclamation of the Erap-Binay team for the 2010 elections is all set for tomorrow, 4 p.m. at Plaza Amado Fernandez in front of the Sto. Niño Church in Tondo.
An overflow crowd of 20,000 is expected with thousands coming from Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon and Metro Manila.
Top entertainers headed by Dulce, Rico J. Puno, Marissa Sanchez, Bayani Agbayani, Christopher de Leon and Tirso Cruz III will attend.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2009
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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