As this paper goes to press, the wrath of super typhoon Uwan is being felt in many parts of the country. The next few hours and days will reveal the extent of the loss and the damage, but given the size and strength of the super typhoon, it is almost certain they will be huge.
This is a reality we have to deal with several times a year.
With the consequences of Uwa dominating the headlines, the issues that the people have been tracking are bound to be shoved aside, and rightly so. In these crucial days, saving lives, securing safety, and bringing relief to the vulnerable are most urgent.
But if those who came away richer believe that the disaster-beaten Filipinos would be too distracted with survival and eventually forget their sins, they better think again.
For sure we cannot do anything about living in an area in the world frequented by severe weather systems. We also cannot do much to stop the effects of climate change that is a result of centuries of opportunism and greed.
What is supposed to be within our control, however, is the judicious use of taxes taken out of the pockets of hardworking Filipinos. They are supposed to be used to construct better infrastructure to shield Filipinos from flooding.
But what did our honorable public servants do? Government officials, who are supposed to have the best interests of the people in mind, connived with contractors for their personal gain. As a result, flooding has remained unmitigated, and has even worsened. They have employed all sorts of deceitful practices, and after that hypocritical avowals, to show they are innocent.
The past few weeks’ investigations are progressing, even though justice is not happening as swiftly as we would like. Still, we trust that airtight cases are being made, and while these cannot be made in haste, we look forward to seeing personalities hauled to jail in reasonable time.
For now let us charge our devices, secure our homes, evacuate to safer ground if we must, and check on our friends and loved ones. Let us monitor the news and help others however we can. And then, when the rain has stopped, the wind has quieted, and the flooding has receded, let us resume our vociferous demands for accountability and make sure the guilty are not only shamed, but prosecuted and punished.
