Here comes the monsoon.. AGAIN.
Every year, my Philippines gets an average of 20-25 typhoons. Every year, we stand witness to the devastation to crops, properties and worse, the loss of lives.
No Filipino is without a flood experience in their lives. I had to wade through flood waters when I was in college. In my time, there was no text blast, email blast or websites to refer to for announcement of class suspensions. If there was no announcement over the radio at 5 am, then it means there are classes.
Walking through flood waters is dangerous. There may be sharp debris, or an open manhole, and the threat of contracting Leptospirosis. I am thankful that me, my siblings, my children and nieces did not fall victim to these threats.
Yesterday, my Philippines was pounded by intense rain - lasting for the whole day until this time that I write.
We have been put on a "red rainfall alert" which means heavy to intense rain. The local news showed flooding in practically the entire western part of the island of Luzon. No more corn, no rice, no bananas... total wipe out. In the National Capital Region, Metro Manila, where I live, was not spared at all. There were areas where flood waters came up to chest deep. My family is fortunate enough that our area is not flood prone.
The weather bureau's forecast is that this weather disturbance will last until Thursday, which means more floods, more destruction, more poverty.
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| Chest deep flood in the Metro brought about by the monsoon |
It is at this time that I absolutely HATE the corrupt officials in the government. The P10B pork barrel fund was misappropriated and landed in the hands of a certain woman (I would rather not name her, because my fingers might cramp up because of the hate) who is now in hiding. She was discovered to own luxury cars, 28 prime residential properties in the country and an inn in the United States.
Should these funds been used in the rehabilitation of the flood ways, construction of more flood pumping stations in strategic areas, dredging of river beds, the immediate relocation of the informal settlers along the river banks and creeks, then we could probably have gotten rid of this annual death trap.
Would we be able to ever get out of this rut? There is nothing else to do but be one with my countrymen in HOPING. The government wants us to help them out in little ways, like more efficient garbage segregation, banning of plastic bags, etc. Sure, why not? We've been doing our part. Now, do yours.
I love my Philippines. I just don't like the people who run it.
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