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Residents must organize to save their environment from the greedy few

December 18, 2011

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Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I shall die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

– 18th Century Children’s Prayer

By Raïssa Robles

I couldn’t sleep last night thinking of the hundreds of children and their parents who were swept to sea in their sleep during the storm.

My mind just went on and on in a loop trying to picture the dying. Was it quick or agonizing?

I have long stopped asking myself – was this God’s will? Because I believe God set the world in motion and then stepped back and let nature take its course and let man use his free will to shape and reshape the world as he pleased.

Trouble is, in the Philippines, some men are greedier than most and use their free will to act on their greed and plunder the environment to amass personal wealth.

The flooding in northern Mindanao could well be a cataclysmic but natural event. However, with the amount of logs that went tumbling down the mountains there, illegal logging appears to have exacerbated the flooding.

Over a decade ago, my hubby Alan was asked by Reader’s Digest magazine to write a piece on a unique reforestation project being implemented by Gen. Victor Corpuz. I did the interviews for Alan and one of those I talked to was a former congressman who had made a fortune out of logging hardwood forests.

What struck me the moment I entered his palatial digs was the shiny wooden flooring made from really wide planks of narra.

The other thing – which I found really weird but apt – was a huge portrait of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with beams radiating from the Lord’s heart. Peso symbols were painted at the end of those beams.

He probably thought the painting was a good luck charm. It was beyond tacky and lewd. But honest.

How do we protect ourselves from those who continue to rape our forests?

By organizing.

Goodness, the warlords are organized. The car thieves are organized. Trapos are organized. It’s high time we, the people, organize for what we believe in.

Related Stories:

PNoy’s PR disaster in Mindanao after the invasion of the water hyacinths

Filipina scientist warns that water hyacinths grow back exceedingly fast

Below is a video taken by the National Grid Corporation on the flooding in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao:

Tagged With: disaster in Mindano, flooding in central Mindanao, Philippine news

Comments

  1. Balikatan Sleuth says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    Hi Miss Raissa.

    Medyo huli po ang paglagay ko ng comment sa article na ‘to.

    Pero sana po, bukod sa CJ Corona impeachment trial, mabigyan rin po ninyo ng oras ang paghahanap ng katotohanan tungkol sa korupsyon sa Balikatan.

    Dito po sa Davao, bukod sa ang dami pong nag-default sa mga pabahay na kinuha nila mula sa Pag-ibig, karamihan po ng mga properties na “underwater” ay literal na nalalagay underwater pag naulan lang nang kaunti.

    zoSo bukod sa
    Sa pagkakaintindi ko po sa mga research na ginawa ko, nagsimula lamang ang defaults nang ilipat ng Pag-ibig sa balikat ng Balikatan ang mga mortgage accounts. Mula po doon, ang dami na pong di nakabayad ng mga mortgage nila. Di ko po alam kung sadyang iniwan ang mga properties tutal binabaha naman, kung itinaas ang interes (na hindi naman dapat mangyari sa low at medium cost housing), o talagang nataon lang sa recession. Karamihan po ng mga bumili ng mga bahay rito ay OFWs.

    Sana po maglaan kayo ng section para sa housing problems ng Pinas.

    Mabuhay po kayo.

    Gumagalang,

    Balikatan Sleuth

    • raissa says

      March 31, 2012 at 8:07 AM

      Ano ang Balikatan?

      Ang pagkaalam ko lang yun ang joint US-RP training exercises.

      • Balikatan Sleuth says

        April 1, 2012 at 3:49 PM

        Noong bagong salta rin po ako dito sa Davao, akala ko po may kinalaman sa joint US-RP training exercises. Pero hindi po.

        Sa pagkakaintindi ko po, ang Balikatan Housing Finance Corporation (BHFC), bale ito po ang ginawang in-charge ng Deutsche Bank Real Estate Global Opportunities (DBGO), na mangolekta ng mortgage. Ito po ay matapos mabili ng huli mula sa National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) ang mga delinquent mortgage accounts.

        Ang siste po yata kasi, noong mapunta na sa DBGO ang accounts, itinaas na po nila mula sa 6% (low-cost housing) o 9% (medium-cost housing) papuntang 14% interest.

        Medyo magulo po kasi. Bale mahahati po kasi sa dalawang grupo ang mga delinquent borrowers. Meron pong kusang piniling ayaw magbayad gawa nang naghain sila ng kaso sa korte dahil sobrang sub-standard po ang mga materyales na ginamit sa paggawa ng mga bahay na binili nila.

        Meron namang pong talagang di makabayad.

        Kahit ano pa pong rason ng mga deliquent buyers, ang suma pa rin po naman e malulubog sila, piliin man nilang kunin ang refinancing scheme ng Balikatan o hindi.

        Ilan po ito sa mga articles online na baka po makapagbigay nang kaunting linaw sa inyo:

        1. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=274997
        2. http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/210311/balikatan-housing-addresses-borrower-issues-senate
        3. http://davaotoday.com/2009/04/14/something-reeks-in-government-housing/
        4. http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2008/0528_legarda2.asp
        5. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=469687&publicationSubCategoryId=67

        Maraming salamat po.

        Gumagalang,

        Balikatan Sleuth

  2. win0 says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Thanks again Miss Raissa. At sa mga opinions of your readers.
    As usual, lagi na lang tayong magsisihan. I don’t know why blame the
    president for this? Dapat ang mga local officials ang dapat nandoon agad.
    Just my opinionn,

  3. gary says

    December 22, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    i wish you a merry christmas & a happy new year!

    more power!

  4. Mariles says

    December 21, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    There is always enough for everyone if only people will learn to take just enough for their need and not take so much to satisfy their greed. For those who have much, they were given these to share or be a channel of blessings for the less fortunate.

    *****

    People must also learn to replace that which they have taken. Any uprooted trees must be replaced to avoid soil erosion. Trees also provide the oxygen that we inhale. They clean the air that we breathe in.

    *****

    People need to be educated on disaster preparedness, since disaster is not so uncommon these past years. This must be done in every barangay on a continuing basis. Is this possible?

    • raissa says

      December 21, 2011 at 3:27 PM

      i WISH.

  5. MALYN says

    December 21, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Magandang araw po!
    Ipagdasal natin ang mga kapatid nating nasalanta ng bagyong Sendong sa CDO city Iligan city. Dumaguete City at sa lahat ng parte sa buong bansa. Humanap tayo ng paraan upang kahit man lang sa kaonting bagay na meron tayo ay makapagbahagi para sa kanila. Minsan lang sumagi sa aking isipan na ang lahat ng nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran sanhi ng poot at galit ng kalikasan, masasabing “Walang dapat ipagmalaki ang tao sa mundo mayaman o mahirap matalino o mangmang may kapansanan man o wala, tayong lahat ay pantay pantay kapag dumating na ang ganitong trahedya. . Ika nga ay dumating ka sa ibabaw ng mundo na hubad ay aalis kang hubad. Maghangad man ang tao ng lahat ng bagay na materyal , magarang sasakyan, malapad na lupain, maraming bahay at maraming depositong pera sa banggko habang nabubuhay dito sa lupa sa isang kisap mata ang lahat ng yan ay maglalahong parang bula at hindi importante, walang kabuluhan at walang kuwenta.
    Isa ang Cagayan de Oro City na may magandang lugar dito sa Pilipinas at ang kauna-unahang bubungad sa yo kapag ng bukas ka ng Website ng Cagayan De oro ay ganito ” NO TYPHOON ALL YEAR ROUND” mula ng ako ay maging tao ngayon lang nababalita na binabaha ang parte ng Mindanao, Cagayan De Oro, Iligan. BAKIT???? Masyado kaseng mapangahas ang galamay ng tao sa pagpuputol ng mga puno, pagmimina sa kabundukan para sa pasariling kapakanan para lamang magkapera (Politikos, government Officials) walang malasakit sa kapaligiran. Makonsensya naman ang mga gumagawala nito.

  6. iceman says

    December 21, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    by the way Maam Raissa,

    thank you for sharing this beautiful prayer. it is so poignant.

    • Johnny lin says

      December 21, 2011 at 12:54 PM

      @iceman
      Raissa learned her catechism from a nun and evening prayers from a religious mom
      Merry Xmas to all!

      • iceman says

        December 21, 2011 at 1:31 PM

        it’s poignant coz naisip ko po yung friend ko that washed away that night. may God bless his soul.

        • roberto says

          January 1, 2012 at 5:39 PM

          so poignant to think, when your dear friend is affected by the calamaity and yet you can’t do anything.

          lalo na kung pamilya mo… di ba

          God Bless

  7. obot says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    are the people really expecting the president to be in the scene whenever catastrophes like this happens?
    sino siya, si superman?
    the people’s focus of helping their kababayan will just get diverted to the president when he visits the area.
    might as well stay in the background but still make sure that all the support from the government is properly coordinated and distributed to those affected.
    how will the president function properly kung nasa scene sya trying to mingle with the residents right after the disaster?
    if everything is in place already, at nasimulan na ang relief efforts at na-exert na ang support, then thats the time that the president can show up and “raise the spirits of those unfortunate people and show he cares”

    • iceman says

      December 21, 2011 at 5:00 AM

      sa logistics side, pampagulo talaga sa relief efforts. it’s a security nightmare.

      on the other hand, human nature needs emotional support.

      so it’s a delicate balance. very hard to decide.

      but aren’t you just tired of politicians na puro pa pogi lang? pumupunta pag may disaster to distribute relief goods.hug babies. knowing that they had a hand indirectly or directly to the disaster event? pa photo op o tv coverage lang then goes home?

      • Battousai says

        December 21, 2011 at 2:48 PM

        @iceman, Tama ka. puro pa-pogi, press-release para lang masabi na “concern” sila sa nangyayari. pero sa katotohanan, may ginagawa nga ba sila? totoo nga ba may pakialam sila sa ganitong pangyayari? they say that this calamity was predicted 3 years ago by some scientist expertise in climate change, pero may ginagawa ba ang mga magagaling nating Leaders? Ngayon nangyari na ang kinatatakutan, lahat nga mga nagmamagaling na Senador at Kongresista ay nagsasabi na dapat magmadali ang Pamahalaan sa pagtalakay ng climate change. eh ano ang ginawa nila 3 years ago?

        Mga anak sila ng teteng, puro yabang!!!

        • iceman says

          December 21, 2011 at 3:46 PM

          dyan nga tayo mag ingat sa sobrang pa pogi. kada calamity, o may bibitayin, agad agad nandun. parang OA din minsan. parang too trying hard. bakit kaya. just wondering. eto nga presidente natin ngayon, ayaw masyado mga photo op at pa pogi. ayaw maki gulo sa relief efforts. alam nyo ba na kailangan mag mobilize ng ilang battalion everywhere the president goes. laki kaya ng gastos nun. food.etc…

  8. Pickers in Markham says

    December 21, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    With all the blogs and comments linking the disaster to the current state of politics should make ones jaw hit the floor. We are indeed in trouble.

    • raissa says

      December 21, 2011 at 7:31 AM

      Our problems have ALWAYS been linked to politics.

      Which is why I believe politics should not be left only to politicians. :)

      • iceman says

        December 21, 2011 at 7:55 AM

        yeah. phils is a rich country in spirit and resources. a hardworking people. it’s just so sad that the political elite needs the public to stay dumb and apathetic to stay in power. ang sekreto is just between P200-2000 per head.

      • Johnny lin says

        December 21, 2011 at 12:19 PM

        I agree.

  9. Pickers in Markham says

    December 21, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    While saving the forest makes a lot of sense, the real culprit is actually global warming. Changing weather pattern, increased precipitation, exploding population growth, etc. are the contributing factors. Rains and clouds are not manufactured locally over our skies. They are driven like currents from cold to warm regions of the globe and the higher the temperature rises (or the extent to how the disparity between hot and cold zones widens), the faster the water evaporates and the stronger the air current flows. Unfortunately, there is very little we can do in terms of direct action as global warming is linked to the economy. The biggest polluters are India and China. The world fuels their industries that have very little regard to the environment by sustaining the demand for cheap products and liberalizing trades thru reduced tariffs and the creation and expansion of trading blocs. If we really want to make a difference thru baby steps, it is thru organizing consumer groups and watchdogs and raising standards. Everybody has to have a clear understanding on how to connect the dots.

    • Johnny lin says

      December 21, 2011 at 2:51 AM

      @Pickers in Markham
      There was no global warming when we were learning in school to replant the forest after cutting trees for simple reason that water from the mountain would cascade down without barriers. We had floods before but not as deadly because people did not settle illegally on dry rivers.

      Global warming is contributory, denuded forest is primary factor of floods and landslides in the plains and lowlands.
      The killer is people settling on river flats and edges blocking water passage thus diverting water flow.
      The trigger is corrupt public officials.

      • raissa says

        December 21, 2011 at 7:30 AM

        I agree with you, Johnny.

      • Pickers in Markham says

        December 21, 2011 at 10:29 PM

        There was no global warming when we were learning in school to replant the forest after cutting trees… Johnny lin global warming was not invented just a decade or so ago. Katrina and the recent flood in Bangkok, etc were not caused by deforestation. There’s just a lot of precipitation. 70% of the earth is covered by water and the ice. Polar ice caps are melting and water level is rising. The rate of evaporation increases when the temperature rises, and held up there in the clouds produced by ‘combustion process’ that fuels the economy. Deforestation and improper or lack of zoning, overpopulation etc are indeed contributory TO THE EFFECT but not the cause of flood. You can have the best nurse, doctor and hospital including therapist in town but would you not first look at what had caused the injury / disease and do something about preventing it? I certainly would and would not rush to assigning the blame to anyone who regulates the health profession.

        • Johnny lin says

          December 22, 2011 at 3:21 AM

          @Pickers
          Let us put this into current perspective. Bangkok is a different story since there is water inlands in that region like Venice. We are talking about catastrophe caused by Sendong. You said the primary culprit was Global warming. I said it was contributory. Global warming came into prominence lately after the turn of the century. Did you hear of global warming in the 80s? There are many causes of global warming: natural causes, pollutants, CO2, green gas emission even from humans.

          Allow me to argue with your disease as an example.
          You said “would you not first look at what had caused the injury/ disease and do something about preventing it? Your supposition is fractured by itself. In the first place, when the person is already inflicted with disease or injury you could no longer prevent it. Prevention is being aware of the the disease and prevent it from inflicting normal people. Nobody does screening mammogram to a woman with proven cancer of the breast, if you understand that screening mammogram is the most well known preventive measure in medicine aside from pap smear for cervical cancer and colonoscopy for colon cancer. You don’t give measles vaccine to a child stricken with measles. So your suggestion of blaming the doctor or nurse could not apply because the investigation should start with how the patient incurred the illness/injury. If the injury is drowning and the person jumped into the river without knowing how to swim, the fault is on the patient. Applying that to people building their houses on riverbeds knowing that water from the mountains flows downwards thru their location, are they not at fault? When to blame the doctor? When the doctor does illegal acts like giving medicine to a patient in the home which should only be given in the hospital for simple greed of collecting professional fees like what Dr Murray did to Michael Jackson. Compare this to corrupt politicians allowing illegal settlers in dangerous areas for the simple greed of safeguarding their votes. Kapish?

        • Pickers in Markham says

          December 22, 2011 at 10:30 AM

          Yes by all means pls make your case. I never implied that one should look at preventing the disease when the patient has already contracted it. The fact that global warming only came to light fairly recently does not mean that it never existed before as it would be no different from saying that pathogen-causing diseases only occured when antibiotics were discovered. I know a lot about flooding as I studied and worked on the loss mitigation side of it for decades. Flood is mainly caused by heavy precipitation. Heavy precipitation is brought about by excessive evaporation of water and moist air. Vapors and wet air occur when the temperature rises. The rise in temperature is caused by the radiation of heat from the sun that made its way to earth because of the depleting ozone layer and then trapped into the atmosphere causing greenhouse effect. Yes there are many causes of global warming but nothing is more harmful and in an alarming rate than emissions from factories that burn fossil fuel. Funny you use MJ case as an example of greed which you compare with a politician motivated by the desire to get the squatters’ votes. I am not going to defend either of them but will not share the same perspective because you are suggesting malice in each case. If malice was established in Dr. Murray’s case, he should not have been tried and convicted for just involuntary manslaughter isn’t it. Go figure. Illegal settlement or squatting occurs because our law enforcement is weak. The last time I checked, the politicians job is to make the law. They don’t enforce them.

        • Johnny lin says

          December 22, 2011 at 11:56 PM

          There may be existing living pathogens, but if they are not harmful, there is no disease to prevent or control. Similar to the pathogens residing in the vagina of women. There are millions of them naturally not harmful to women so they do not take antibiotics everyday to prevent infection. Those pathogens coexist creating a clean environment for all of them to co- exist without harming the host, that is the woman.it is when pathogens become impaired like taking antibiotics for infection, that vaginal pathogens become erratic and cause illness, like yeast infection in a woman. I also know a lot about medicine the way you know a lot about flooding. It is only when a disease is known that prevention could be implemented and penicillin from penicillium, one of the first bacterial antibiotics was accidentally discovered not specifically to treat pathogenic diseases. It is not about pre existence, it is about recognition of serious consequences or effects like global warming aggravated by mankind.
          Incidentally, you talked about cause of flooding by precipitation which is atmospheric but you did not dwell on the usual cause of flooding in Metro Manila, earthly,that is clogged esteros and waterways caused by settling in the middle of creek, under bridges and fishpens in mouth of bays.
          Politician jobs especially in the provinces is not only about making laws but mostly administering their constituents including their safety where they settle specifically. There is malice on my examples because we have been talking about the devastation of Sendong which was aggravated by corrupt politicians, greedy businessmen and stubborn settlers whose actions contributed to the catastrophe. Read Raissa’s article again.

        • Johnny lin says

          December 23, 2011 at 12:11 AM

          @ Pickers
          Administering medicines at home when it is precisely limited to hospital setting is malicious by itself but the malice on the end result did not rise to the level of pre meditation required on homicides or murder.
          This is not appropriate discussion here
          Merry Christmas

        • Pickers in Markham says

          December 23, 2011 at 12:09 PM

          Johnny lin, you are all over the place but thanks anyways.

    • iceman says

      December 21, 2011 at 3:44 AM

      actually, the biggest polluter is the US

    • raissa says

      December 21, 2011 at 7:35 AM

      I think there is something we can do.

      Ordinary people – the consumers of Chinese products worldwide – can make their voices heard.

      Hasn’t been done.

      Still worth a try.

      • Johnny lin says

        December 21, 2011 at 12:18 PM

        There is some action on pollution from Chinese officials to improve air quality in some of their industrialized cities due to pressure from UN and big 8 countries. Unfortunately, China is the fastest growing nation in terms of consumer trade especially the automotive industry and petroleum. Pollution control and world trade are in a collision course in China. Boycotting Chinese products will be suicidal to world economy.

        • Pickers in Markham says

          December 21, 2011 at 10:01 PM

          Boycott is harmfull and does not always work. Competition is key to market driven economy but consumers have to raise the standards not only in terms of quality of the end product but also the process these products were produced, the labor employed, etc. The government’s role must be restricted to leveling the playing field full stop. China and India are important economic players and their respective progress is awesome. However, they have to play by the rules and act responsibly not only for their people but also for the citizens of the world.

  10. Johnny lin says

    December 20, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    The president has many responsibilities, not only to those who suffered but also to those who served, succeed or failed. Attending social events in limited capacity if scheduled already is honorary commitment since the devastation is far. It would be different if it were in Manila. The most important function is give orders immediately torespond to the situation; plan to evaluate or prevent further damage; to rescue, fund and assist operations, which he did. The president is not responsible for natural disasters. Regrettably, the tragedy of Sendong was preventable by local officials and stubborn(pasaway) residents thru proper structural development.

    Presidential spokespersons should be in unison explaining the situation.Gobbledegook alibis by different people is inexcusable. The pitfall of having many spokespersons by giving ambush interviews without knowledge of every details. For sensitivity sake, they should have released press statements before PNoy attended the party.
    What PNoy has failed to do was, probably ill advice by his aides, address the nation last Sunday, the day after the disaster. He should have given a press conference, that’s leadership. His rookie advisers should now learn from their avoidable mistakes. Despite, he is still on the right track leading this nation to greatness. Proverbial “fly in making up a beautiful face”!

  11. angrybird says

    December 20, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    so heartbreaking, magpapasko pa naman. i just wish that those who lost their loved ones sa trahedyang ito will soon recover from their loss and hopefully the government can at least help them financially if not emotionally :(

  12. nona says

    December 20, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    Home thoughts from abroad.

    cdo – thoughts and prayers. and people 1st priority

    later/lesser issues
    The boys a fool
    The comms group amateurs and liars
    The sisters – irrelevant PR
    Loss of so many lives unnecessary

    Deforestation the key issue – corruption again raises its ugly head
    Cancellation of flood control project needs to be answered by govt.
    Disaster response needs planning and co-ordination. The technology is already available to minimise impact/increase warnings and aid more effective response.

    Leadership demands action and compassion and communication. patterns repeat with p-noy. pvlov’s dog syndrome

    “A career in Politics is no preparation for government”

    World response – thanks

    everyone else give generously

  13. Percy says

    December 20, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    Yes Raissa, residents should organize like what they did in Bangkal but FPIC, DENR and others with vested interests organized themselves too to thwart the residents desire for a cleaner environment. The gas leak in Bangkal could be a bigger disaster in the making for the over 40 years old pipeline as what happened in Mexico.

« Older Comments
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist Then they came fof the Trade Unionists, and I did not out speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me— And there was no one left to speak for me. —Martin Niemöller (1892-1984)

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