Apart from corruption, overpopulation and lack of sufficient infrastructure, our selfish habitual behavior against Nature is one root cause of the recent deluge. Just after the flood, I saw men nonchalantly throwing plastic bags into the streets as if it were somebody’s responsibility to clean. Clearly, this should not be the case.
Not surprisingly, many Filipinos are unaware that the consequences of their negative actions could bring great harm to the entire country. Past governments have been partly irresponsible; they failed to inculcate a lifelong desire toward pro-social behavior. They failed to realize that people forget certain values so easily. For most, environmental consciousness is taught in schools, but it stops there. Daily blasts from TV, radio, newspapers or even in public places such as toilets will certainly help. Look at Japan and Singapore; our country can certainly learn from them.
But to those who know that this is the root problem, do you feel obligated to do something? Have you thought that you are just one individual whose anti-environmentalism is negligible in solving the problem? Or have you chosen to play deaf? We all have a role to play no matter how little it is. You can’t expect others to clean our rubbish.
Last but not the least, our government’s enforcement apparatus on environment is weak. It probably is the least of its concerns since the midterm elections are looming. But on our side as citizens, if we engage in overt and aggressive environmentalism, others will follow. Local efforts within barangays are not visible enough!
Let’s face it: Seasonal rains are something we expect annually. But we shouldn’t foolishly expect floods as if they were natural phenomena. They can be averted if you have the will. The government must also be aggressive in delivering this point to the masses. To be fair to others who have been practicing good environmental habits, today’s Manila is not at all a conducive place to be an environmentalist.
—KURT TANYU,
kurt.tanyu@gmail.com.