A state of calamity has been declared in Metro Manila as rains brought by Ondoy caused the worst flooding in the capital in more than 20 years. The Extensive flooding in the metropolis that forced thousands out of their homes and turned many areas into virtual lakes drew comparison with hurricane “Katrina” which devastated the southern United States city of New Orleans in August 2005. As Katrina pounded New Orleans, levees broke and about 80 percent of the city was flooded, killing over 1,800 people and leaving damage estimated at more than $100 billion. This must be a very scary tragedy. I wonder why it says that it’s like Katrina? I don’t believe so. During the Katrina rescue, there were allegations that the white were given priority and placed in better rescue centers than the black.

In our case, there are many to be rescued, there is no discrimination but there is inadequate resources involved or put into the operations. In Marikina, there were only two rubber boats that were involved in the rescue. This is very inadequate. In another report, people waiting for 12 hours to be rescued.

Yes, I changed my position, this is worst than Katrina because the rescue operation is just mere lip service. Government agencies are just doing the easier part of the rescue such as mere monitoring, declaration of state of emergency, etc. etc. but in the actual operations they are failing miserably.

This whole aspect of rescue operations must be reviewed so that the citizens are given adequate service, rather than this one, lips services!

Honest to goodness declogging of esteros & sewage systems, relocation of squatters in riverbanks & esteros, responsible garbage disposal in Metro neighborhoods are some of viable solutions to our perennial problem of flooding in Metro Manila. But sad to say government, national & local, lack political will to implement these flood prevention programs.

One more thing, I wish some form of updated radar system and more micromanaged technology could be installed for the Philippines in forecasting and presenting weather patterns as they happen, and way before emergency disasters happen again. Of course, once a storm hits, there is little anyone can do, but in preplanning efforts, would help a lot. Depending on the Weather Channel reports is not the thing to do here…the Philippines needs several high-power and accurate reporting weather stations based in conspicuous spots in the country, making exact forecast references up-to-the-second, and transmit such details to all television stations or install a special weather channel for the Philippines only, and stop using the animal-lover with the little Commando hat giving the weather. We need professionals for the

* Let us all pray: May God help the Filipino people. That they will learn from this catastrophe (and all that have come upon us in the past). That they will have the wisdom to vote for the right leaders in the coming elections. That graft and corruption, which have stopped our nation from progressing, will be reduced or eliminated by those we vote into office. That our government employees, especially those in charge of public works (DPWH) do their jobs properly as expected in them. That they will do their best to make sure that our homes will not experience flooding in the future by making sure that all funds and resources they require is used wholly for projects in flood control.