Will Gloria accept responsiblity for Ondoy tragedy?

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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gestures as she presides over the National Disaster Coordinating Council Meeting Friday (October 2, 2009) at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall in Cainta Municipal Hall, Cainta, Rizal. Also in photo are (from left Rizal Governor Jun Ynares, Vice President Noli de Castro, Defese Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Executive SEcretary Eduardo Ermita, and Cainta Mayor Mon Ilagan. (MARCELINO PASCUA/OPS-NIB Photo)

The number of fatalities from tropical storm “Ondoy” (international name Ketsana)  has reached 246, the National Disaster Coordinating Council reported as of Sept. 29.
Damage to property was placed at P4.6 billion, while the cost of assistance was estimated at P9 million NDCC chairman and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said.

I used to think that every Filipino knows an OFW. Now every Filipino knows a victim of typhoon Ondoy. It’s hard not to be emotional for the helplessness of those who are still waiting for relief. Most friends that I knew said they never thought that the waters would creep into their homes and push them upward avo roofs.

Well, who did? Not even PAGASA, the country’s weather station, was able to depict Ondoy’s strength. Dr. Nathaniel Cruz, PAGASA director said that a total 341.3 mm amount of rainfall had been dumped in Quezon City six hours after it fell has broke  the 344 mm level record on a 24-hour period on June 7, 1967.

Everyone knows by now that this is the worst typhoons we’ve had. I don’t believe it’s an act of God though I respect those who believe that it is. It is easier to think that way. But we should have prepared for these things — 42 years ago. This time, we need some hardnose, unforgiving pinpointing on those who manage or mismanage  development infrastructure, urban development and disaster management plans.  

Four years ago,  Bush has owned fault to the tragedy brought by Hurricane Katrina and it paved the way for drastic improvements in ensuring disaster resilient federal governments. Would GMA do the same?

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Tags: disaster management, disaster resiliency, gilbert teodoro, gloria macapagal arroyo, gma, ketsana, ndcc, ondoy typhoon, philippine typhoons, relief operations, responsibility