As predicted, many of the urban “informal settlers” victimized by their own hazardous behavior squatting in dangerous places, & encouraged by the misfeasance of Local Officials plus “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” are, you guessed it, “balikbayans” (returning residents) to the same scene of the calamity and their mortality.

One big city executive, in an interview, said “We cannot really stop them from going back (Tulyahan & Tumana Creeks). Anyway they are small creeks. We should really just focus on the very risky, risky areas”. A Barangay Chairman, days before his own boss’ interview, made more sense, “Don’t even allow them to begin building. They will always say, Chairman this is only temporary shelter. What usually happens is that it will become permanent and then many will follow”. Obviously, with elections just around the corner, local officials are more worried about the “informal settlers” in their area of responsibility, not so much for their safety and well-being but that they are registered voters in said locality. They don’t want to dilute said captive constituents come suffrage day. Never mind enforcing the statutes on structures and settlements in what is classified as “risky areas” e.g. under bridges, on top of creeks, beside railroad tracks; or violations of city ordinances & environment laws with the metro waterways turned into cesspools of human waste, garbage & plastic articles clogging the free flow, children living in squalid mouse holes etc. This is the perfect cauldron for disease outbreaks, endless flooding, and a trail of victims. The cycle of misery & generosity, smart politicians wish not to violate because the votes of “informal settlers”, are more important than their own lives, than the environment we live in, in what is obviously a congested, decrepit, odorous, deteriorating & dirty urban setting. I hope I am wrong when I suspect, the emergency funding into the hundreds of million pesos for rescue, evacuation & evacuation sites, rehabilitation etc. will certainly come in very handy as part of the ingratiating process in patronage politics, not to mention a percentage of which may be pocketed & set aside for May 10, 2010?

* * *

Years back, and I do not wish to polish my own shoes, ( I do not care who gets the credit, as long as the job gets done), a group of Volunteer AFP Reservists, made a study and proposal to activate what should have been the creation of an ‘AFP Reservist Provincial Disaster & Civil Defense Company’, nationwide, tapping citizen soldier volunteers co-located in respective provinces. in brief, Local Officials would provide said AFP Unit the necessary office, training, and equipment (when possible) etc. Said Unit will not have any allowances or salaries. For purposes of supervision & avoiding the unit utilized as a political tool of local officials, respective RCDG & CDC commanders shall take charge.  Back then, I was able to initiate talks with a former NDCC & CDC head who right away embraced the idea. Then former DILG Usec. Agnes Devanadera also helped in the drafting of a MOA between the DND & DILG in order to make this part of the protocol. What has happened?

PERSONAL: Best regards to retiring but not tired Police Director Leopoldo Bataoil of PMA 1976 Magilas Class. I am sure he will be an asset in any capacity in the future. Mabuhi Gid Mistah!