A Message To Our Leaders

Heart wrenching is not even the closest phrase that can describe what I feel right now. It’s what has happened and what has not happened in Leyte. It goes beyond words. After doing what I can in silence, it’s time to make suggestions.

As of today, our helper Liza still hasn’t heard from her family who lives in Barangay Javier, Leyte. Sleepless days and nights watching the news, calling people and praying a lot has occupied those hours. The devastation is so immense and overwhelming. The only glimmer of hope is that we got word that there were no fatalities in their community. Let’s all pray they survive the hunger.

As a mother with fairly organized skills, I would like to suggest these tips that won’t take a rocket scientist to come up with. Tips that can be used for now or for the future.

Wouldn’t it be more helpful if…

… the airport was cleared right away? Can’t we learn from how other countries like the US have been doing it? It could have been the center of access especially for the people’s immediate needs like providing food, tents, medicine, simple stoves to cook food. It’s also the main port of action to drop off relief goods.

… military reinforcement and presence in the affected towns was evident? A semblance of authority however small would have been helpful. Discipline will be enforced and looting could have been avoided.

… satellite kitchens, however temporary, were built? Imagine small or big tents with big pots of soup, rice and food were readily available to feed the survivors. It will give the boost and the energy they need to cope and even care for themselves. Iisipin pa ba ng mga nasalanta kung saan lulutuin ang bigas? Mahirap mag-isip para sa sarili kapag gutom.

… drinking stations instead of just water bottles handed manually were made available? A perfect example is how a marathon is organized and planned with a drinking station every mile or two. Access to clean drinking water is clearly a need.

… tents and tent clinics were set up? Obviously, so that the survivors have roofs over their heads. Also, five tiny tents with a doctor and nurses are better than one doctor in a big rambling hospital.

… the dead bodies were cleaned up from the first ten miles at least? It helps with the morale and minimizes the health risks people were exposed to. It’s also hard to work and try to move on when the stench of dead bodies are overpowering.

… portalets stationed maybe in a 10-20-mile radius? These are not difficult to source and transport. If big outdoor concerts can have them, why not the surviviros? Aside from avoiding the rampage to access the airport toilets, portalets can help lessen the exposure to contamination because of poor sanitation and give dignity to the survivors.

… a sack of rice were given to each family instead of small plastic bags of grains for every person? This will eliminate people going back and fort to the relief centers and will cut down on repacking time. I would imagine with the amount of money and relief goods that were donated the government could afford sacks of rice for the survivors.

… satellite phones available? When the phone lines are down they’re the next best thing. More than that, it brings comfort and some peace of mind to the survivors and their families around the world.

It’s never too late. Leaders, please be THE examples. If you ask people to evacuate their homes near the coastline, please also evacuate your home near the beach. We don’t need a quote to prove this… Leadership is by example.

Let’s also do our part by giving to reputable and trusted organizations and let’s volunteer.

Last but not the least, more selfless acts, less selfie shots please.

Thank you.

Shoppingero/shoppingera, please feel free to add your suggestions in the comment box.