Factors that could hasten relief distribution
CURSORY observation by the public at large showed the absence of critical factors that could have moved faster the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Samar and Leyte during the disastrous Nov. 8 Yolanda typhoon in 2013, for example.
It was all too apparent that DSWD at that time did not have ready-to-go packed items. That was why repacking and sorting took vital hours away and “slowed down the readying and transport to affected areas.”
We are now again in the time of year when the “habagat” season brings not only rains but devastating typhoons. How prepared are the agencies concerned?
My friend, Boy Bautista, also noted that the government relief agency did not have the technology, like the ones in the United States and Japan, that can prepare canned rice that when opened, “it smells like ‘bagong saing,’ my businessman friend said.
That kind of food preparation could have fed thousands in a matter of hours, he said.
Another observation came from Baguio City – Edna Factoran – who expressed her opinion that there were endless chaotic problems in distribution of relief goods because the DSWD in the region did not know how many persons were officially listed as residents.
“Even in the smallest barangay, the relief people were at a loss as to how many items they would prepare,” Edna said. The quantities would have tallied with the number of families in each local unit.
“Chances are DSWD, the coordinating sectors, and donors were not furnished with the vital information by City Hall. That was how bad the situation was.”
*** PLASTIC BAGS TO THE RESCUE. Have you ever thought how the-much-blamed plastic bag saved the day for the hundreds of thousands of survivors, donors, and relief distributors?
Think of what those situations would have become if plastic bags and wrapping materials were not allowed!
Their utility now acknowledged and unquestioned, plastic packaging materials demonstrated they are irreplaceable.
Paper bags and wrappers were rendered useless because of the apparent wet conditions obtaining in those areas brought about by the typhoon.
There are two kinds of recyclable and biodegradable plastic: Oxo-biodegradable is chemically laced and degrades in one year; bio-degradable, its manufacture is mixed with capioca or corn starch. When buried in the sand after use, it melts and is eaten by microbes in a matter of weeks.
*** OUR LADY’S NATIVITY NINEDAY NOVENA. Calbayognons residing in Metro Manila and nearby provinces will start novena prayers and masses for nine consecutive days in honor of the feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Wednesday, August 30. at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Divine Grace Chapel, Gate 6, in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin is the patroness of Calbayog City which is commemorated on September 8.
The Doers Club, through its president Jun Obong, has announced the list of daily sponsors, thus: August 30, Mr. and Mrs. Dodong Rosales and family; August 31, Merlie Bacurio and Rey Chan and family; September 1, Milagrosa Academy High School Batch ’76; Sept. 2, Milagrosa Academy High School Batch ’80; Sept.3, Querol Family; Sept. 4, Family of the late Atty. Tomas Gomez Jr.; Sept. 5, Vanessa Noda-Joaquin and family; Sept. 6, Commissioner Rogelio Casurao and family; and Sept. 7, Family of the late Calixto Sr. and Mercedez Obong. Novena time is 6:00 p.m. on weekdays; and 4:00 p.m. on weekend days.
Sponsors of the feast day itselfSeptember 8 – are the children of Engr. Oscar R. and Mrs. Terry Sarmiento. They also announced that the traditional get-together celebration will be held the following day, Saturday, starting with a con-celebrated mass at 8:00 a.m. at the Quezon City Sports Club on E. Rodriguez Sr. street.