September 26, 2009 was not one of the country’s most glorious moments. It was neither one of those happy times when people place small flags along the streets and celebrate an occasion, a feast or an event. Nobody was happy that day. Or maybe just the people in the Greater Manila Area (GMA) and parts of Rizal province were not.
There was a storm but this time Philippines did not meet strong gusts of wind but instead took a lot of rainfall. According to a statement by PAGASA, the agency of that handles weather forecasting, the storm known locally as Ondoy, internationally known as Ketsana gave enough rainfall to exceed Philippines annual average or to put it in another perspective, it gave out almost twice the rainfall given by the hurricane Katrina. It was just rain.
It was a lot of rain. It was too much rain that the drainage systems of many cities failed. There were floods scattered around GMA that ranged from knee high to hip high to shoulder high and some reached higher than an average man’s height. There were even reports of bridges “disappearing” because they were submerged in the flood. A lot of people were stranded where they were. They were unable to leave because of the dangers presented by the rapids that brewed because of the floods.
It is true what they said. The storm brought out the best and the worst in Filipinos. Many were eager and ready to help. All the good people appeared from everywhere to help those who are in need. What was irritating was the part where the storm brought out the WORST in some Filipinos.
There were people stealing from other people. It was really sad. It’s hard to take that people are trying to gain from other people in a very dishonest manner especially in a time of crisis when they should be helping each other. But what would you expect? Not everyone in this damn earth is an angel. Or worse, some are demons.
A lot of people helped. But did they help with the intention of really helping those who are in need? Yes, it was true except for those politicians who took this disaster as an opportunity to get as much votes as possible for the 2010 Philippine elections – as if they are not going to cheat the tally. One politician, gave out food packs with his name and sign (or whatever you could call it) on the covers of the food package. Some even try to help organize the chaotic state of the group of people who were stranded – yeah right, he sees votes.
A lot of those politicians took that opportunity. Is that why they never try to fix anything in the Philippines? Except for reasons which will bring them a lot more money in their already popping wallets? Here is corruption.
This disaster that cost lives of those who are caught in the middle and damage to property to those that were flooded might have been avoided if only the government improved its drainage system. If only the infrastructures were made better. If only the drainage systems were clear. Some families would still be complete. Some lives would have not been lost. Some houses would still be standing. Some people would still be happy instead of mourning for their loss caused by government officials failing to make the necessary improvements to the region’s infrastructure. I wonder if those politicians could sleep well at night knowing this might not had happened if they did what was right. Oh wait, they don’t care so I bet they never lost any sleep. It’s their pockets they only care about.
I love my country. But I hate the government. It is made up of hypocrite politicians who only care about their own personal gain. This goes for most of them. Not all of course are corrupted to the core of their hearts. Some have good intentions; unfortunately they are those with the least power. When will this ever end? Does this country need to go through a civil war like the United States to rise from its fallen state?
There is barely anything anyone can do but hope and pray that after next year’s elections something good will happen.
