Let's not be like Haiti

US State Secretary John Kerry wants to bridge the gap between US and Russia with potatoes. Just be sure the potatoes are not hot.

* * *

The peso-dollar rate is now P45 to the dollar. Dollar-earning OFWs and da missus at home are yelling: "Yes!"

* * *

Haiti, which was devastated by an earthquake as cruel as Yolanda, is now "forgotten" and "forlorn" according to the New York Times. Global assistance has been "unfinished." Various nations all over the world have pledged more than $14 billion assistance "but what is there to show?" the NYT asked.

* * *

Apparently, the foreign monetary assistance for the rehabilitation of Haiti was not well spent. So it behooves us to be careful with the billions of dollars sent in by generous and concerned foreign friends. Let's not give anyone the chance to say: "Our financial help went down the drain."

* * *

Other sources said contributed funds intended to build houses in Haiti were not wisely used. The number of houses targeted was not achieved despite sufficient funds for the project.

* * *

The Pulse Asia says PNoy's ratings have dipped in the last quarter. Not to worry PNoy. Just prove the survey wrong. If you can.

* * *

Ma'am Teresita, a schoolteacher, bought 200 pieces of ballpens for giving away as gifts to her pupils and their friends last Christmas. Ma'am was embarrassed because only 10 or 20 of the ballpens could write. Most had dried-up ink although from the outside they looked new.

* * *

When Ma'am Teresita told the store manager about the dried-up ballpen ink she was blamed for not testing the ballpens one by one. "Kinahanglan pa ba gud diay?" she asked. She returned the 200 ballpens without being refunded.

* * *

"This may just be a minor thing," said Ma'am Teresita. "But it could involve thousands of people, mostly students, who depend on ballpens for writing." So, the government agency concerned should look into this.

* * *

OVERHEARD: It has been reported that a multi-storied condo for business and residential purposes will be constructed at the Freedom Park. An observer said: "Nindot na. Pero kinahanglan dalion kana. Basi'g maunhan ang mayor sa mga negosyanteng squatter." Reply: "Mas abtik ra ba molihok ang mga squatter kay sa gobiyerno."