UP Ibalon Bicol: apathy

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Severe shortage of calamity fund in RP

9/11/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Just as the overspending of Pres. Gloria Arroyo on non-essential trips abroad recedes from the headlines, the reports of suffering from typhoons, ship wrecks, floods, and other natural disasters escape the attention of public servants.

Known for natural calamities, the country needs adequate allotment for disaster preparedness. Money to be used in emergencies must be a priority. But in the Philippines, the national disaster fund is only P2 billion pesos--- a meager 10% of the expected annual expenses (P20 billion) for misfortunes. With severe lack of budget, the people can barely cope during storms, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and volcanic eruptions.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez says the government has set aside P2 billion to cover for natural catastrophes, but the money spent so far in 2009 is already more than P20 billion. The entire budget has been spent in the first three months of the year.

This week, the sinking of three ships namely Super Ferry 9, MV Hera and MB Minham hasn’t elicited enough action except for grounding of the sea vessels and a knee-jerk reaction to quickly bury the dead, rescue survivors and bring them home. More is expected from government agencies to tackle the problems related to the disaster. The chance that anyting substatial to improve maritime travel and safety is slim.

The flaws in disaster planning are ignored by government officials who are now focused with the coming presidential election. Countless citizens are left on their own without help from social services when calamities strike. Perennial deficiencies and apathy still dominate the entire nation. (Photo Credit: Jeasm) =0=

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Labels: apathy, budget, calamity, disaster, funding, money, preparedness, Totie Mesia

Fil-Ams don’t want bad news?

3/15/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

“I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to excape fear is to trample it beneath your feet." ----Nadia Comaneci, Olympic gymnastics gold medalist

According to the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York, Filipinos residing in the USA would rather hear good news from the Philippines. Yes, we like to have the positives rather than the negatives each time we talk about the motherland. But what if there is a dearth of good news? Do we have to dodge the country’s toxic news and focus only on the good ones?

No matter how much we want to escape reality, it’s always there to challenge us. This is probably what happened when Fil-Am community leaders across the United States engaged themselves in dialogues with visiting Philippine officials----saying that they want good news, wanting the bad ones in the back burner. For so long, everybody knows our problems. They’re all over the media for us to solve.

"We thought we would be faced with disbelief and confronted with hard questions, but we were pleasantly surprised that our kababayan [compatriots] here would rather hear the positive developments in the Philippines. Our team was ready to clarify even the negative news, but no one raised them," the report quoted Edgardo Pamintuan, presidential adviser on external affairs---Inquirer (03/16/09, Balana, C).

We seem to vent a very common reaction. Most of us don’t want to be bogged down by depressing news---problems that are entrenched, those that have little chance of being solved quickly.

In America, we have our own worries to tackle in addition to those we left behind back home. That's why. Yet, being selective of what we want to do may lead to detachment, more apathy, and lack of care for the country. If we don’t bravely focus on hard truths, we won’t be able to advance ahead. We have serious problems that we must not ignore. As someone once said, “the best way to escape a problem is to solve it.” (Photo Credit: Mineke_Reinders; Akira_Minh)

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Labels: apathy, behavior, Challenge, Fil-Ams, life, social, Toti

Corruption and apathy: where will these lead us?

2/10/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

We face foreign aid cuts due to corruption. It is shameful that our country which seeks assistance abroad is being singled out as unworthy of help because we are dishonest. Obviously, this is morally and economically damaging. Foreigners are saying untrustworthiness will hurt us in the end. It's time we heed the criticisms and do corrective action.

“The Philippines is facing a big cut in foreign aid because corruption in government is “deeply entrenched” and the World Bank report is “worrying” a big donor country, a diplomat disclosed yesterday.

The diplomat from the major donor country, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said their government is closely following the WB report and the investigation into the anomalous road projects funded by the foreign financial institution and the extent of government corruption that has identified First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo as the alleged patron of colluding contractors in a $33-million road project in 2003. “----Philstar (02/10/09, Lee-Brago, P)

Corruption is getting worse. Our leadership is in crisis. Right at the heart where Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo weaves power, allegations of corruption in her administration are common. Even members of her household have been repeatedly accused of dishonesty in government. The charges are too many---and too embarrassing that even foreign observers are stunned.

Though most of us acknowledge that there is worsening corruption, almost no one is ready to face it with candor, righteousness, and accountability. Instead, there is damning apathy and lack of concern.

Those who are guilty dodge the issue by denying the accusations. Most of them who are influential keep a blind eye and take advantage of the weakness of the legal system. Most corruption charges remain unproven in spite of investigations with telling evidence. There is little effort to ferret out the truth and bring the guilty accountable. This is bad to the future of the nation and the next generation. (Photo Credit: gmaresign; zero+q) =0=

RELATED BLOGS:“Not as a lecturer or as a judge,” EU thinks RP must do more to curb corruption Posted by mesiamd at 1/29/2009; "Corruption scandals hurting Filipinos under Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo" Posted by mesiamd at 1/29/2009

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Labels: Accountability, apathy, Corruption, Corruption in Government, foreign aid, politics, shame, Toti Mesia, WB, World Bank

UP Ibalon Bicol

Severe shortage of calamity fund in RP

Fil-Ams don’t want bad news?

Corruption and apathy: where will these lead us?

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