More emergency measures needed

After typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the Aquino Administration reorganized its disaster preparedness program and set up a zero casualty policy for succeeding typhoons, promising better, faster action next time.

But, it certainly looks like their preparations are not enough as 60 people died with 2.5 million affected and displaced, with damage to infrastructure and agriculture reaching almost P7 billion for typhoons Pedring and Quiel.

The sad spectacle of people on rooftops for two days at Calumpit and Hagonoy, many crying for lack of food and water and the deep floods of Apalit, San Simon, Macabebe, Candaba, San Luis, Jaen, Cabiao, Pulilan, Paombong, Bustos and Obando with people crying for food and water all over is clear proof that again preparations were just not enough. While the forecasts were accurate this time, the effects showed clear basic problems to wit:

1. There was not sufficient timely warning reaching fishermen and residents of coastal barangays and remote communities. Distribute transistor radios.

2. There is still shortage of rubber boats, helicopters, big trucks and other rescue equipment suited for the shoulder level or even deeper 10 feet floods.

3. There is a need for a revision of the protocol for release of water from dams.

4. Better evacuation centers must be built on higher ground, equipped with sufficient toilet facilities and if possible with sidings to keep the rain water out.

5. In flood prone towns, DSWD and local governments must stock up sufficient bottled water good for at least three days.

6. Local Governments with help from congressional pork barrel must distribute plastic raincoats to poor residents.

7. All settlers of riverbanks or seashores must now be subjected to forced relocation.

8. The urgent need for dredging and desilting of the now shallow rivers especially the Pampanga River, the Tullahan River, the Meycauayan River, the mouths of Manila Bay at Hagonoy, Porac, Masantol and Navotas must be considered emergency projects for immediate funding and action.

9. Disaster preparedness manuals for typhoons and floods must be prepared and distributed.

10. The emergency response procedure of Meralco and other electric companies must be reviewed. Their electric posts and wires must be changed and strengthened.

We must learn our lessons from every calamity. Unfortunately, a 25 typhoon season is here to stay and even aggravated by climate change.

Certainly saving lives deserves higher priority in the allocation of funds than temporary, conditional, long term effective cash transfers.

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ANOTHER VALTE GEM…“President Aquino stayed hands on during the onslaught of typhoons Pedring and Quiel, but didn’t want to draw attention. What usually happens is that when he shows up in calamity areas, he becomes the focus and not the victims. That’s precisely what the President wants to avoid.”

Unacceptable. In times of calamities and disasters, the President must be seen soonest to assure the people the government cares and to spur government agencies to action. This was routinely done by President Gloria M. Arroyo. It is routinely done by US President Barack Obama and former Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

The perception is that we have a slow acting President on problems that come up.

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EXCELLENT JOB…Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian has done an excellent job in handling the floods in Valenzuela City with no casualties suffered as he acted early to suspend classes and evacuate residents.

Hemmed in by two rivers - Tullahan river on the Malabon side and Meycauayan river on the other side, the City is prone to floods with no remedy in site.

Mayor Sherwin and brother Congressman Rex have broken the ground for a 50-bed emergency hospital and dialysis center costing P82 million from city funds located right at the poblacion. The hospital is scheduled to be completed in eight months to be equipped with modern and more advanced hospital equipment.

One thing about Mayor Sherwin, he goes about his job quietly but efficiently making Valenzuela a nice place to live in with an efficient tax collection program.

Excellent job, Sherwin and Rex Gatchalian. You make your parents William and Leehay very proud.

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STILL CORRUPT…Vice Gov. Rodito Albano reports that provincial employees leaving Clark for Macau were stopped by Customs agents who accused them of carrying extra pesos. They were allowed to board their flight only upon payment of a P5,000 demanded bribe. Maraming corrupt, maraming mahirap.  

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TESTIMONY… Paranormal expert and clairvoyant Jaime Licauco visited Sister Gloria Ross, RVM for healing at the Mother Ignacia Healing Center in Novaliches. While being bathed, he went into a trance, saw Jesus Christ and felt the power of the place. His wife was healed of her hearing problem. Jaime the skeptic gave testimony to friends he believes in the healing powers of Sister Gloria.

Sister Gloria Ross, RVM is now 84 and after healing for 25 years shows no signs of slowing down. Former Presidents Gloria M. Arroyo and Joseph Estrada have gone to her for healing.

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TIDBITS…Commendation should go to Mayors James de Jesus of Calumpit, Bulacan; Angel Cruz Jr. of Hagonoy, Orencio Gabriel of Obando and Gerry Pelayo of Candaba, Pampanga. Also to Santiago Austria of Jaen and Gloria Congco of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija for a heroic job. Also to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya for prompt distribution of relief goods. Also to Governors Willy Alvarado of Bulacan, Baby Pineda of Pampanga and Bodjie Dy of Isabela. Also helping were the Philippine Dragon Boat Team, Marikina Rescue 161 and MMDA.

Belated birthday greetings to Speaker Sonny Belmonte and to Tenggay Luciano of Concepcion, Tarlac.

Greetings to our avid readers Justa K. Tantoco, Brenda Puyat Reyes, Cong. Mark Enverga (NP, Quezon, 1st dist.) and Cong. Rex Gatchalian (NPC, Valenzuela, 1st dist.).

Tune in to “Mr. Expose” radio program over DZRJ-AM 810 KHZ on your dial on Saturdays 5-6 p.m. and on Sundays from 8:-9:30 a.m.