The idea of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of helping Filipinos devastated by the fires in Hawaii is a crazy idea. Even DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said ”it was unlikely that the affected Filipinos would seek repatriation as they are permanent residents in the United States.” Correction please, most are US citizens. Who in the DFA thought about this crazy idea?
Although it is through the DFA that the Philippine government wants to help, it will still come from the money from the Philippine government. We are a poor country while America is so rich and with ready facilities like Fema and the use of National Guard in helping calamities. Let the Philippine government take care of the Filipinos here devastated not only by the natural calamities but by chronic poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and medical crises. No more grandstanding please.
Ida M. Tiongco,
New York, NY
idationgco@gmail.com