In the aftermath of the tragic calamities that hit the country in September last year, officials of government relief agencies and private organizations admitted there were confusion, wastage and even infighting in the overall relief operations.

Authorities specifically pointed to duplication of relief goods, inadequate equipment and supplies, trained personnel, and absence of appropriate planning.

Experts are now convinced these problems should never occur again.

For one, sufficient wherewithals are now prioritized.

I my add that a novel do-it-yourself kit called ShelterBox be considered. It is not too early to have it available to concerned agencies this time of year.

What is a ShelterBox?

Tom Henderson, writing for TIME magazine, Feb. 15 issue, explained it is an American Rotary Club-inspired sturdy box packed with various supplies, good for 10 displaced persons, specifically selected to alleviate their initial discomfort and trauma after a calamity.

Shipped to disaster areas, it contains a tent good for 10 persons, water purification kit, collapsible water containers, mosquito nets, waterproof ponchos, insulated sleeping mats, thermal blankets, tools, rope, stove and cooking supplies, plus crayons and coloring books (ostensibly, to keep the kids preoccupied).

Henderson said some 5,000 boxes were sent to Haiti last month, and another batch of 5,000 more are earmarked.

Since 2001, Rotary raised enough money to send 75,000 boxes to more than 100 disaster zones in India, the Congo and El Salvador.

“We tailor the box contents to each crisis. A summer flood in Sudan requires more mosquito nets than a winter earthquake in Nepal. Haiti is tropical so we put fewer blankets and added extra purification tablets,” notes the creator of the unusual relief aid.

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‘CHANGES’ PLUS OF BANGON PILIPINAS. My impartial observation is, the “change” that presidential bets are harping on can best apply twice over to Bangon Pilipinas standard bearer Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

First, there is visible “change” in his style of campaigning, far distant from showbiz hoopla employed by the rest of the pack.

For example, in his opening salvo at Rizal Park last Feb. 9, these were the typical characteristics of Bro. Eddie’s substance over image, commitment over personality, and gestures of reconciliation over entertainment.

The other “change” is the way the candidate demonstrates those features as a servant-leader, as he calls himself. Thus: The “washing of the feet” replicates Christ’s demonstrative lecture on servant leadership as told in the Bible.

He initiated a Christian-Muslim reconciliation ceremony. Leading Evangelical figure Dan Balais knelt before Islamic icon leader Aleem Najeb Taher in a prayerful repentance of the abuses Christians have committed against Muslims.

Taher did the same.

All these gestures Bro. Eddie seemingly anchors his electoral message to the public – that he is out to educate them of the significance of their vote, the election process and the new hopes and possibilities it can bring to life.

(This is not an endorsement of the candidate but my personal observation from his speeches and style of campaigning.)