Helpless government?

Helpless government?

Some say the government seems wishy-washy in responding to the unwelcome consequences of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. There are practically hues and cries everywhere asking for help from the government and, in turn, the government is baffled as to what it should prioritize. It is good that there are private companies and individuals who volunteer their resources and time to alleviate our trouble typhoon victims. The cash and in-kind donations amassed by the two giant television networks for sure assuaged the burden of the government to look for enormous funds for the rescue and rehabilitation of the victims. We are thankful that there are many generous and unselfish Samaritans around in these times of crises to lend a hand. Probably they are aware that the government is not ready yet to solely borne the responsibility of caring for the victims.

From my own personal view, the government should think of the following suggestions:

1. Strengthen the local disasters coordinating councils. These councils should not only convene during calamities. A disaster preparedness and rehabilitation plan, and conduct drills should be a must for these councils;
2. It is time for the senators and the congressmen to make a supreme sacrifice of parting some of their pork barrel funds and create a common subsidy for the rehabilitation of devastated infrastructures like schools, roads, and the like;
3. The government should not only offer money to those victims to go back to their respective provinces- it should also ensure that they have a place to go in their provinces like relatives, and that their children can go back to school. Otherwise, they would be an added predicament of the concerned local government units;
4. A law should be designed requiring bus, jeepney, taxi drivers, would-be couples and all others to plant seedlings prior to the issuance of their driver’s license and marriage license;
5. The cost of damage probably is to the tune of millions of pesos. Why not make a comprehensive plan for a true-to-goodness flood control and fund it even if it requires a huge capital outlay? It is better to fund this project than to use it for rehabilitation purposes; and,
6. There should be a 25-year moratorium on extractive and logging activities to allow our legislators to review our mining and forestry laws.

I am sure the government is trying its best to make its presence felt in times of these crises. It is not helpless as it employs all means at its disposal to help the victims of the typhoons. I am confident that the government heeds too to unsolicited suggestions such as this.