Reactive agencies

ONE thing I have observed for several years now and whoever is the president is that officials of our government agencies and leaders of local government units are reactive during emergencies instead of being proactive. The classic example is the recent eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas where the government officials only reacted after the sudden surge of prices of goods, like face masks, went viral in social media.

The government agencies, like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and the local government units are supposed to have ready funds for emergencies like this.

Instead of letting the residents affected by the ash fall pay for very high price on goods and items, like face mask, the DOH and the DSWD could have provided them free mask. Also, the DTI’s warning against profiteers is nada unless they act and put value on their warnings. Entrepreneurs

who take advantage during emergencies should have no place in our society. They should be prosecuted to the fullest.

Some netizens even criticized the call of DSWD for assistance from the private sector when the government has more than enough funds from the tax collection. Agree. But even without the yell for help from DSWD, the private sector, as we always know, renders assistance to those in need during emergencies.

For the past several months and years our nation has been visited and hit with calamities, like typhoons, earthquakes, and now the eruption of Taal, an active volcano, that our government should have allocated huge budget for emergencies, instead of giving the legislators enormous funds in the guise of priority development funds that only benefit them.

Chungalao, the executive officer, to proceed to Bolog near Nayun to watch and engage the enemy from Lamut and Nueva Vizcaya. Lt. Balajo was ordered to relieve Guinid at Ibulao, leaving his post at Piwong to one of his non-coms. “It looked as if the young executive officer was doing the job of the Battalion Commander. It seemed so because Capt. Bunol was still at Hapao feasting while his soldiers are exposed to the elements of rain and hunger in foxholes awaiting the approach of the enemy. We later learned that his subordinates began to despise and lose confidence in him. “January 7. Mr. Mariano went back to Halliap while Lt. Chungalao took a walk to the nearby barrios, leaving me alone in Camp. An aero plane was heard flying on the eastern side toward Mayaoyao, circled around then flew very low over our camp in the direction of Lamut area. It was about 6:30 in the afternoon. Lt. Balajo was again re-directed to proceed to Kinakin toward Mayaoyao. Lt. Guinid remained at Bolog while Lt. Salvador with only 16 men with the help of our civilian police force kept watch on the Kiangan garrison. Lt. Balanban stayed in Banawe spying on the movements of the big enemy force gathered thereat. “January 8, early this morning, an aero plane was again flying above about the same direction as yesterday and the other day. “At about 5:00 o’clock, a runner came from Boliwong stating that an enemy plane had crushed landed and exploded on a mountain side in Hapid. Reports stated that 14 Japanese officers, including the pilot, were burned and their mangled cadavers scattered. This plane must have been the object of the one flying low during the last two days. “Elements of the 14th Infantry from Nueva Vizcaya were the first to arrive at the crush site and were able to salvage available working equipment. “On January 10, early morning the same plane days before continued to scout any sign of the crushed plane. Her search continued till late afternoon. “The BN HQ Service Troup began their regular training per order of the HQ Executive Officer. Messrs Dugyon and Habawel were directed to leave for Hapao. In the evening, led by Lt. Chungalao, dancing and singing again occupied the soldiers, members of the Ladies group. “For the next two days, Japanese planes continued reconnoitering over the province, concentrating their search in Hapid. Councilor Tomas Alindayo and two other companions, all informants of HQ brought back insignias of the dead officers mostly in the ranks of first and second lieutenants. They also reported that the team leader of 14th Infantry who first arrived at the crushed site is identified simply as Pablo. Said team got a load of Japanese officer swords and money. “On January 14, some 40 women arrived from the barrios of Hingyon and Anao to help prepare the feasting for the coming of Capt. Bunol, the Battalion Commander. The night was again one of dancing and singing at the instance of the executive