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Arroyo must make good on radar systems pledge

Published by Ellen on October 5, 2009

Editorial of South China Morning Post
Oct. 5, 2009

A government’s priority is to protect the well-being of its people.
There is no better test of its commitment than when disaster strikes.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration has, in
this regard, failed time and again. It did so spectacularly with
Tropical Storm Ketsana, again revealing how little it cares for its
constituents.

The Philippines is pounded by as many as 20 typhoons a year. Dozens,
sometimes hundreds, of people are killed and many millions of dollars
of damage is caused. Nature cannot be tamed, but in the case of severe weather events, technology means its wrath can be anticipated. Arroyo for the past five years has repeatedly promised to have advanced forecasting radar systems installed; politicking, corruption and government waste means they remain a pledge.

What happens when such systems are absent was demonstrated by Ketsana. (Ondoy)

The many ways to help

Published by Ellen on October 4, 2009

Fundraising for the victims of typhoons “Ondoy” has turned creative.

On Friday, “Bagong Sigla”, a concert featuring the country’s top bands will be held simultaneously in Manila, Dagupan,Davao,Iloilo and Davao for the benefit of the victims of typhoon “Ondoy” and “Pepeng”.

In Manila, it will be “Bamboo” at Liwasang Ullalim ((beside Folk Arts Theater) at the Cultural Center Complex starting at 7 p.m. It’s “Imago” in Dagupan at CSI Stadia.

In Iloilo, it’s “Cueshe” at the Freedom Grandstand and “Spongecola” in Davao at the Damosa Market Basket parking lot.

It’s a free concert in the sense that you don’t have to buy a ticket to watch the concert. But to enter the concert venue, one has to drop an old shirt or canned good or one peso. If you can give more, the better.

Vera Files video: Cainta one week after Ondoy

Published by Ellen on October 3, 2009

by Tessa Jamandre When storm “Ondoy” (“Ketsana”) struck on Sept. 26, the morning after was a picture of a devastated capital, a people in anguish…

Bantayan ang Ukay-ukay

Published by Ellen on October 3, 2009

Pinayagan na ulit ng pamahalaan ang donasyon ng mga lumang damit galing sa ibang bansa. Ito ay para mapadali ang tulong para sa mga biktima ng bagyong “Ondoy”. Walang taripa ngunit kailangan naka-address sa Department of Social Welfare and Development ( DSWD).

Kailangan kasi ma-inspeksyun ng husto ng DSWD at mapausukan (fumigate) dahil hindi naman alam kung anong bakterya ang nandyan sa mga lumang damit.

At gustong siguraduhin ng pamahalaan na hindi maabuso ang pagpasok dito ng mga lumang damit, katulad ng nangyari dati. Baka kasi ang bagsak niyan ay sa ukay-ukay ulit. Sa halip na ang ang mga nasalanta ng bagyo ang makinabang, ang mga mapagsamantalang tao ang magsasaya.

One-stop shop processing for foreign donations for ‘Ondoy’ victims

Published by Ellen on October 2, 2009

The Bureau of Customs sought Friday to allay public distrust arising from the directive of Gloria Arroyo to course all foreign donations through the Department…

Obama offers condolences to Samoa and Indonesia

Published by Ellen on October 2, 2009

I’m just curious, why is the Philippines not included?

NHK TV website:

US President Barack Obama has offered his condolences to victims of the natural disasters in the Samoan Islands and Indonesia, saying the US will fully support rescue efforts in these areas.

Obama told reporters at the White House on Thursday that the United States will continue to provide full support to American Samoa, and extend any necessary help to Samoa as well. The areas in the south Pacific were devastated by tsunami after a major earthquake on Tuesday.

Obama also said he was deeply moved by the loss of life in Wednesday’s earthquake in Indonesia, where he had lived as a child. He said he has given orders for the US, as a friend of Indonesia, to extend its full support for Indonesia’s rescue and recovery efforts.

The US government though was one of the foreign governments which gave assistance to the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

Pichay and other officials could be charged for extravagance during a time of calamity

Published by Ellen on October 1, 2009

by JP Lopez
Malaya

The Local Water Utilities Administration, a government-controlled corporation, held a “lavish” feast for its 36th anniversary Wednesday night, a virtual slap on the face of half a million Filipinos victimized by storm “Ondoy” who are scrounging for relief goods.

President Arroyo arrived at 9 p.m.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said that while most celebrations have been cancelled to donate to victims of Ondoy, the move of LWUA to proceed with its anniversary is the “height of insensitivity.”

Want to help? More helping hands needed

Published by Ellen on October 1, 2009

The way the whole nation responded to help victims of typhoon “Ondoy” is awesome.

The TV networks, ABS-CBN and GMA-7 used their power and influence for something noble. So many groups are taking it upon themselves to undertake their own independent relief operations.

ABS-CBN’s Ted Failon did an admirable thing focusing on raising funds for more portalets for evacuation sites. Ted, in his radio program at DZMM, said he saw the unhealthy situation in evacuation centers where there were only one portalet for over a thousand evacuues.

This morning, Ted, though donations was able to acquire 15 portalets to be rented for at least P10,000 a month including services.

We got this note from Habitat for Humanity:

Habitat for Humanity Philippines will be conducting a mini-soup kitchen at two Pasig Evacuation Centers where our homepartners are. We need volunteers from 6am-2pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 2,3 and 4) to distribute arroz caldo. Please contact 8973069 or 09178260881″

Some of you have been asking me the past days where to give your donations because you want to make sure that they get to the intended beneficiaries.

Crocodile sighted in Cainta

Published by Ellen on October 1, 2009

Crocodile sighted swimming in Cainta—TV report
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Floods covering large parts of Manila have brought a new intruder—a crocodile, which was seen swimming in a village in Cainta, Rizal, local television reported Wednesday.

Top broadcaster ABS-CBN quoted local residents as saying that they spotted the five-foot long crocodile late Monday as they made their way through flooded streets of the town.

Resident Michael Lambert said he and his friends saw a floating object which they thought might be a tire.

Bakit wala yatang pinapalabas na pera si Arroyo para sa mag nasalanta ng bagyong Ondoy?

Published by Ellen on September 30, 2009

Napansin nyo ba mula Sabado, nang nananalasa ang bagyong Ondoy hanggang ngayon, wala pang order si Gloria Arroyo na magpalabas ng pera mula sa contingency fund?

Tiningnan ko ang website ng Office of the Press Secretary kung saan lahat na press release ng Malacañang lumalabas, wala ni isang order magpalabas ng pera.

Dati kapag may bagyo, pasikat kaagad si Arroyo. Magu-order siyang magpalabas ng pera. Sa budget mayroong mga P1 bilyon na calamity fund at P1 bilyon din para sa contigency fund. Kaya total na mga P2 bilyon sa isang taon. Sa opisina yan ng Presidente at kailangan ang kayang approval sa pagpalabas nun.

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