Job Well Done

Gloria praised the ineptitude of he stooges for their handling of Ondoy. In fairness to those on the ground and despite their lack of resources, they really tried their best. But for those on the top, what job did they do well. For starters, funds were definitely misused. How many rubber boats could have been bought with the infomercials of Teodoro, Puno and Fernando. These three spent millions to promote their "accomplishments" kuno. Gibo even had a commercial for disaster preparedness which didn't amount to anything.

As donations continue to pour in, they even had the time to play politics which added to the suffering of those affected by Ondoy. What did Gloria do, she sent an emissary to Ateneo to ask for relief goods much to the dismay of the teachers and students who volunteered. Are the presidential funds so depleted that they had to source their relief goods from private relief centers? How many dopller radars could PAGASA have acquired if only they scrimped a little from Gloria's lavish trips abroad? How much has Gloria poured into Pampanga that she forgot that there is a country called the Republic of the Philippines and there is no Republic of Pampanga in existence? Perhaps Pampanga should secede from the rest of the country since it seems their local leaders love her so much.

The only job this government does so well is to spend money like its their own. Kung sabagay, what are they in power for? As Gloria's popularity plummets more, her mouthpiece once again blames their favorite punching bag, the media. What's wrong with calling it as they see it? Just imagine if the media closed its eyes to what the government has been doing, kawawa na tayo talaga. If only I will be allowed, I wouldn't give this officials a pat on the back and praise them for a job well done. I'd probably whack them on the back with a baseball bat for allowing such a catastrophe to happen.

Now Glorai and her cohorts wants to extend the state of calamity. For what, so they can get more kickbacks from projects without public bidding? The country entered a state of calamity the day Gloria stepped into office. That was the start of a disaster that would go on for 8 disastrous years. How I wish the elections were now so we can finally rid ourselves of a catastrophe she brought upon us. What she brought with her was not only environmental but moral disaster as well. The sooner she leaves office, the faster we can rebuild the nation. Job well done Gloria, you've brought the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse sooner than God planned.

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Dick and Manny: The Dynamic Dodos

So now Dick blames organizers for the "rumors(?)" about his abuse of the Red Cross. The poor fellow who wrote about this, his peers and even the hapless victims now appear as liars. Pardon me Mr. Gordon, kanino bang mukha ang lumalabas sa TV ads ng Red Cross? 'Di ba sa'yo? So please spare us from your "palusot", di kami mga tanga. Organizers wouldn't act without your orders. Since you showed interest in the presidency, you've been trying to get as much media exposure as you possibly can. You're a fake and nothing else. If you're not, then let the PRC do its work without your face being there. I'm sure the PRC has beautiful faces other than yours.

Ikaw naman Mr. Villar, how can you even "account for every centavo" the government will use during calamities when you can't even make yourself account for the C-5 scandal? Why target the tax collection when you are one of those who's been inserting billions in the national budget which we taxpayers are funding. Get real, be a man and face your accuser in the senate. Where were you when OFWs were camping outside the Saudi consulate waiting to go home? Ayan, naunahan ka tuloy ni Gloria. I thought you cared for these people? At least that's what your infomercial shows, thankful, sobbing OFWs you helped to go home. How many were they again, seven? Las Pinas doesn't flood before you created that dike. I used to fish there and now it's a filthy canal which you plan to erect a bridge over.

Do I also need to remind you about the Daang-Hari road which I think will be another charge that would be raised against you? Talk about accountability. How about the school which was planning to build a dorm for their teachers which you've been blocking the building permit? The school lost so many good teachers because of this. Is this what we expect for your education program? What about SM's attempt to tap the drainage system of Philam Life Village which the homeowners opposed? Come to think of it, you and SM benefited from the C-5 extension. Hmmmm...I smell something fishy again. Mag-partner ba kayo?

I wish these two would stop hammering us with lies. Buking na kayo humihirit pa. What else is new, it's the same traditional antics these two are using.

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Appeal for Tahanang Walang Hagdanan

Dear Family and Friends,

In the midst of all this anguish, there are those that are suffering more than able bodied folk. Our brothers and sisters with special needs like the tenants of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan are more uncomfortable than most. They need at least 300 foam beds, they're beginning to get bed sores from lying on mats.

I'm reaching out to all of you, hoping that you may know the owners of Uratex Foam Beds or any similar company that may be willing to donate or at least give us a big discount. BnW is part of Operation Tulong Bayan, along with Noynoy and Mar volunteer groups, and partner organizations like Operation Compassion, Caritas and GK, but Tulong Bayan is mainly into relief goods packing and distribution, so this is a special case for us. If we're lucky enough to get the beds, we'll be more than happy to pack them and send them off with relief goods!

As always, we are in great need of the essentials - water, rice, sugar, salt, canned goods, sardines, candles, matches, clothes, blankets, slippers, soap, and anything you can spare. Tulong Bayan will continue operations through the weekend at our hubs from 8am to 9pm - Balay Expo Centro, Araneta Center, across Farmer's Market, and at White Space, 2314 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati. You can drop off your donations at either place. As of today, we have packed and distributed over 55,000 relief bags. We're ecstatic, but we all know that we need to provide even more to so many, so we'll save the jumping for joy for another time.

May God bless all of us. Please, please help!

Best always,
Leah

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The Real Side Of Presidentiables

At a time when the people are reeling from the devastation of Ondoy, three presidential aspirants have taken advantage of the situation. All for the glory of being elected, these three are what we call as "MGA BUWITRE". Manny Villar and Joseph Estrada has shown what they are really made of. Dick Gordon on the other hand think he owns the Philippine Red Cross. Is this the kind of leaders we want in office?

Manny Villar and Erap did donate. What a noble gesture if only they chose to be anonymous like the other politicians. Villar's relief bags bore his and his wife's name while Erap's claim stub even had his picture printed on it. Gordon took another path. This fake had volunteers and victims alike waiting for hours so he can be the one to distribute relief goods. Hoy Dick, hindi sa'yo ang PRC! What kind of asses are these people? Using the suffering of the people to further their political ambitions.

So what should we do to these villains? The best is to spread the word. They are no better than the looters who take advantage of the helplessness of the victims of Ondoy. They are no better than Gloria and her cohorts who spend billions on lavish trips. They have shown us that they have no morals or conscience. To those who support these three, think again. Only fools and those who stand to benefit from them would continue to support them. Aren't their actions enough reason for you to dump them?

This is the real side of these bozos. They are exploiters. They are liars and fakes. Their candidacy is not of service but of personal gain. How much more of their antics can we take? I will make it my crusade to expose the true colors of these so-called servants. When you are so insensitive to exploit the suffering of the people, you have no right to be elected. Let us not allow these three to fool more people. Let us make sure that their kind never gets elected ever again.

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What Supplemental Budget?

So both houses of congress has pledged a P10billion supplemental budget to augment the NDCC's dwindling funds. I'd like to believe that this is a purely humanitarian gesture. But where have all the contingency funds gone to? No it's not a time to be skeptical but hey, the way this administration works is always suspect. Case in point, Gloria's use of her office's contingency fund for her foreign trips. So why shouldn't I have second thoughts about this supplemental budget?

How transparent would the agencies be? We all know that "SOPs" is the norm in our institutions. Congress may think this will go to where the funds should be but how sure are they that this would not be going into some one's campaign kitty? It seems odd that it's been several days now and Gloria hasn't released any emergency funds. Instead, she's been relying on the people's "bayanihan" spirit to help those victimized by Ondoy. Where are the funds supposed set aside for calamities? Perhaps Gloria wants to keep her funds intact, after all, she needs money for her trips.

I'm also wary of how foreign aid would be spent or distributed. Remember how aid for the Leyte landslide was switched? With money pouring in from all over the world, I wonder whose pocket most of it would end up. If Pichay's LWUA can spend for a lavish party at a time when thousands are hungry and cold, what more about the office of the president? No I'm not being cynical, it's just how this administration works.

So now let's go back to this proposed supplemental budget. Some members of congress may have a pure motive, but who can say that it will be used for purposes other than intended? Another example of the point I'm trying to drive home is how relief bags distributed by Manny Villar bear his name. My daughter has volunteered for relief operations being undertaken by another politician but his relief bags do not bear any sign that it came from him. Why you may ask, because it's not the time to campaign.

The people affected by Ondoy really needs a lot of help to rebuild their lives. I just hope that the government will truly help them this time around. Now is the time to help our people, but government should not take the backseat and rely on the Filipino's kind heart. If only we exercised our "bayanihan" spirit when the "Hello Garci" scandal came out, our coffers may still have enough funds to help our people. Oh well, May 2010 will definitely be a date awaited by our tired, exploited people.

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An URGENT Call and Many Thanks

Operation TULONG BAYAN Priority Message
Monday, 28 September 2009

Heartfelt thanks to those who have so far volunteered their time and muscle! Our work is far from over, we hope you will continue to volunteer in the coming days as most drives like this lose their 'pull' quickly.

We also profusely thank the individuals and companies that have donated so much to our relief drive and pray that they and many others will continue to keep the donations coming in.

WHERE WE ARE:

CUBAO - Cubao Expo Centro, EDSA corner Gen. MacArthur, Araneta Center (the old Seafood Market)
MAKATI - White Space, Pasong Tamo Extension (close to Cantinetta Resto and BMW showroom)

HOTLINES:
Cubao - 913-7122; 913-6254; 913-3306; 0908-657-9998
Makati - 710-8804; Rosanna 0917-830-5053

HOURS OF OPERATION: 8:00AM - 9:00PM Daily

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

* As of Saturday, 26 September, all Piso Piso Para kay Noynoy and Mar donations have been earmarked for Tulong Bayan relief operations
* On Sunday, 27 September, we distributed over 2100 relief packages to three communities within Metro Manila and today, 28 September, are in the process of loading our trucks with over 3000 packs to be distributed to prioritized communities.

We are in need of the following items that can be delivered to Cubao Expo or White Space as soon as possible:

* Rice
* Sardines in tetra packs
* mongo beans
* sugar
* dried fish
* salt
* cooking oil in sachets
* bottled water
* candles
* matches
* detergent soap
* tarpaulin sheets 5-10meters per sheet (for shelter)
* used cardboard or cartons (for bedding)
* slippers
* clothing
* blankets

We will be accepting these donations, hopefully in bulk, throughout the week, and thank you in advance. Our brothers and sisters are in desperate need, please help as much as you can!

Those that wish to donate money can please deposit to the following accounts specially earmarked for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy:

Payable to CORPORATE NETWORK FOR DISASTER RESPONSE

* BDO Galleria Branch, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Savings Account 004640030358
* BPI Ayala Paseo Branch, Current Account 0031065402

Once again, thank you for your help, we look forward to seeing you and accepting your donations very soon!

Operation Tulong Bayan Volunteers!

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Typhoon Kurakot

The worst is not yet over as two more low pressure areas are heading for the Philippines. As if the country has not suffered enough, the two LPAs are stronger than typhoon Ondoy. As I watched the reports on TV, I cannot help but ask why was help so slow? But I guess I should have expected this. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) does not have the resources to respond to a calamity of this magnitude. For the National Capital Region (NCR), the NDCC has only 14 rubber boats at its disposal. Only 14 for an area so big. I do not know how prepared the NDCC is, but judging from their very slow reaction, preparedness is not in their vocabulary.

At a press conference yesterday, NDCC Gibo Teodoro promised to rescue "all" victims before nightfall. Today, thousands are still on the roofs of their submerged houses. If there is one thing that this disaster showed, it's the resilience of the Filipino. Left to fend for themselves, the victims and their loved ones found ways to rescue themselves while the officials thumbed their noses. As the casualities continue to rise, questions need to be answered. But how can something like this happen? I thought the NDCC is prepared. Why did it all have to come to this? There are factors that could explain why all these happened.

I can't believe that after the typhoons Reming and Milenyo battered our country, the NDCC obviously has not learned their lessons. 14 rubber boats for the entire NCR? If Gloria can spend an average of P6 million/day on her foreign trips,why can't we spend for rescue equipments? Our local governments too were slow to react. My mother's house was turned into an evacuation center. She was feeding families until late last night. The city officials did not even bother sending her any help. Her driver rescued their neighbors and brought them all to her place. It's a good thing that she has a habit of stocking up on canned goods and noodles. How do local governments spend their funds?

It all boils down to corruption. Typhoon Kurakot has settled down in the Philippines. It has hit every institution in our country. Billions of pesos end up into the pockets of our officials. The lessons learned from this latest calamity should be another reason why we must choose our next leaders wisely. The officials who acted too slow should not be reelected again. Where are those officials who claim to care now? If only those officials who spent millions in their infomercials put their offices funds to good use, maybe the NDCC would be better equipped. I heard Gloria congratulate her cohorts for a job well done. I wonder what she was referring to. As day 2 passes into history, thousands are cold and hungry. Waiting for government help that is yet to reach them.

We are all alone on this one. The government relies not from its funds but from the donations you and I shell out. We are the ones who are responding. We who volunteer our services for free. We who devise ways for help to reach our fellowmen. It's all our efforts that are saving lives. I just hope that come 2010, Typhoon Kurakot would finally leave our area of responsibility.

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