Gov’t shown inept in handling crisis

The promotion of Church People’s Response urge the government to get its act together and implement an efficient disaster response management program to lessen the effects of calamities. Ensuring the safety of its people is the primary task of any government.

It pains us to see the uncollected lifeless bodies of our brothers and sisters days after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” struck. And millions of people are feared to have lost their primary source of income. Worst of all, our hearts bleed as we listen to the cries of survivors pleading for urgent relief from hunger and pain.

The deliberate tagging of some survivors as looters was not only insensitive, it added to their suffering. It is our understanding and their immediate relief that are most needed in the situation. For how can you call them looters when those who pledge to serve the public amass wealth by stealing millions, even billions, of pesos from the people’s coffers? What do you call the exploitation and oppression of the common citizen, which have been going on for decades and have limited our people’s capability to cope with disasters?

Being a tropical country facing the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines, according to scientists and weather experts, is among the countries most vulnerable to powerful typhoons. The more reason government should have a concrete disaster response management plan, which should include public awareness, risk-reduction and comprehensive relief and rehabilitation, and involve as well not only government agencies but also the public.

Yolanda has revealed the inefficiency and inability of the Aquino administration to manage disaster situations. The administration should have mapped out and put in place, days before Yolanda wreaked havoc on our nation, a disaster management program.

The historical impoverishment of the majority of our people predetermines their exposure to hazards brought about by calamities. And the absence of a doable plan in response to any possible scenario only aggravates the people’s perilous conditions.

While private organizations are helping to alleviate the situation, we strongly demand that the Aquino administration immediately address the humanitarian crisis. We also call on the politicians not to take advantage of the vulnerabilities of the people for political ends.

Let our compassion and social witnessing bring us to seek justice for the victims of negligence and for those whose lives and dignity are ignored or, worse, abused. The God of Mercy will strengthen our resolve to overcome our emptiness. The God of Justice will deepen our resolve to struggle for a just and humane society.

—NARDY SABINO,

general secretary,

Promotion of Church People’s Response,

[email protected]