Filipino Good Samaritans

Not since Ondoy almost three years ago has Metro Manila seen such an onslaught, with monsoon rains dumping over 472 milliliters of rainfall accumulated in less than 24 hours. But just like the proverbial silver lining, the dark cloud of disaster could not dampen the Filipinos’ “bayanihan” spirit or innate character to help their fellowmen. The floodwaters and the heavy rains saw ordinary individuals becoming Good Samaritans, reaching out to those in need and extending help in small and big ways, in some cases even risking their lives in the process.

Truck drivers gave rides to strangers stranded on streets submerged in knee-deep floodwaters. In Roxas District in Quezon City, the owner of a four-story residence allowed homeless neighbors to seek temporary shelter. Private schools also allowed car owners to use school parking lots to secure their vehicles. Several hospitals in Metro Manila were inundated, making it impossible for hospital staff to report for work and relieve those who have been on duty for 24 hours. Despite being practically sleepless, nurses worked 36-hour shifts looking after their patients (some doctors failed to show).

Television networks also engaged in relief operations, calling for donations and relief goods/items for flood victims, with network talents manning the hotlines for pledges and donations. Students helped pack relief items, and many also used social media to provide updates, advisories and call the attention of rescuers on the plight of victims.

Big business also mobilized their resources, like SM Foundation and SM Novaliches that fielded a truck packed with bottled water, rice, noodles, sardines and other relief goods to the residents of Barangay Gulod in Quezon City that was submerged in floodwaters. Philippine Airlines also conducted “humanitarian cargo flights,” airlifting medical equipment, medicines, chlorine tablets, flashlights, battery-operated radios, diapers, underwear and other “high value” relief items (those that are not readily available in disaster-stricken areas) to affected areas in Luzon for free. Just like in 2011 with Typhoon Sendong when relief efforts were organized (including soup kitchens plus a P500-million pledge to build homes for stricken families in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete), San Miguel Foundation has been quietly mobilizing to send relief items to evacuation centers in Metro Manila.

Many feel that government is doing better in responding to disasters, appreciating the efforts of officials in assuaging the fears of residents in the flooded areas. DILG secretary Jesse Robredo looked and sounded efficient, along with NDRRMC head Benito Ramos. As usual, military and Coastguard personnel worked 24-7, braving howling winds and torrential rains to rescue residents trapped on rooftops, stranded in floodwaters or buried in landslides.

Quezon City was one of those heavily affected, and it certainly helped that Mayor Herbert Bautista was very visible. On the other hand, Marikina residents were wondering why vice mayor Jose Cadiz was the one issuing evacuation orders and coordinating rescue/relief efforts instead of Mayor Del de Guzman. The Marikina mayor was “missing in action” – prompting distressed constituents to complain that he is probably in London having tea with the Queen.

 Time to implement the laws

Government response to the disaster was laudable, but it only underscores the fact that we cannot always be reactive. There has to be better coordination between local governments, because as Marikina vice mayor Cadiz said, the constructions projects and developments in one city can be detrimental to   adjacent areas especially if they are located near rivers.

Senator Loren Legarda, who has been tirelessly calling attention to the dangers of climate change, said laws and policies are already in place but implementation has been lacking. She has hard questions that must be accurately answered: Were creeks or esteros de-clogged? How is garbage collection in open dumps? Are roads being repaired (and are materials according to standards)? How are flood control efforts, are they effective? Have we learned from past experiences and applied the lessons, like coming out with an updated La Mesa dam protocol for example?      

Aside from chaos, floods bring in sickness, not to mention the loss of jobs. Yet people continue to be apathetic, indiscriminately throwing garbage or haphazardly building structures in disaster risk areas. The laws have been enacted – it’s time they are seriously implemented.

 Karmic garbage

The heavy rains turned the Manila Yacht Club into a huge garbage dump with trash washed ashore from Manila Bay. More than 200 trucks were needed to remove plastic bags and other trash that littered Roxas Boulevard – and the work is not yet over. 

This is one of the worst incidents ever, and if there’s still doubt that seafaring boats throw their waste in the water, the amount of garbage that spilled over should dispel it. What we have seen is only one more proof of the adage that what goes around comes around. Garbage in, garbage out – and in this instance, it was karmic in proportion.

 Spy tidbit

The Makati Medical Center Foundation with Conchitina Bernardo as president will be conducting medical and relief missions in areas afflicted by the “monster monsoon.” Those who want to help in MMC’s efforts and reach out to the victims may drop off donations at the Makati Medical HSP unit, ground floor Tower 1 or at the MMC College of Nursing, 4th floor Libran building, 144 Legaspi cor. VA Rufino sts., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Cash and check donations (payable to the Makati Medical Center Foundation) are also welcome. Official receipts will be issued. Kindly contact Marge Barro (0908-8803661) or Karen Torres (0908-8803662).

Not many people are aware that the MMC Foundation (with Manny Pangilinan as chairman) is assisting the government in a big way by spearheading efforts to transform struggling government hospitals into medical establishments comparable to private hospitals. A pilot is the Rizal Medical Center in Pasig, with P1.5 million allocated for hospital staff training, professionalizing management, and upgrading equipment without resorting to dole outs.

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