Save the Nation, Garden Today!

I landed on this page after following a trail of informational links that began with an outdoor grill ad. Strange? That's the internet for you.

Its about gardening. Specifically, It's about a Rain garden Project in Minnesota, USA. The community uses these gardens to reduce run-offs into their scenic lake and river. While this project focuses on preventing contamination from sediments and pollutants, it did indicate a reduction in the volume of water. The test results show that run-offs diminished by 90%. That's a lot of water that does not need to go into the drain system. In short, its water that will not contribute to the kind of flooding we had recently.

You'd think that such a simple solution would have found its way here. No suck luck. We've been concentrating on plastering the land with concrete and asphalt. Even the decorative plants along the roads are encased in concrete boxes. And I'm not wondering. I've said it before - public works has a nasty reputation. Big contracts = big player = big money. From the looks of it, the rain garden project favors small independent contractors with a cheaper organic approach.

This one makes it into my list for "Nice to have, unlikely to get".

Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr.

Suddenly, his ads are appearing in the papers. Now, several provincial politicians are pushing for his candidacy.

The good news is he seems to be capable of doing his job. Supporters frequently point out all the infrastructure work he has completed. That’s great. Anyone care to audit it? No seriously, I am a big fan of building up our infrastructure simply because I see the utter lack of it. Provincial roads have become synonymous with dirt tracks. We need transportation and communication structures, not to mention flood prevention facilities, classrooms and irrigation works. Unfortunately, public works has the nasty reputation of enabling and cultivating corruption: kickbacks, overpriced projects and things that never get built.  An audit of the department during Sec. Ebdane’s tenure sounds like a reasonable request don’t you think? After all he is aiming to be president. We want an honest president right?

Speaking of honesty, we should also remember that Sec. Ebdane’s name came up during the “Hello Garci” drama. Allegations ranged from his having provided transportation to Mr. Garcilliano to providing protection to the same. In short, he was involved. Take that how you will. I find it hard to judge because I was not paying a lot of attention that time.

While we’re at it, I feel that his supporters should stop labeling him a man with a plan or a vision. I’ve checked online and have yet to see any platform of any form. Even the news fails to mention any sort of agenda other than “become president.” So, until I see a plan, the imaging is pure hyperbole and does disservice to the Sec.

What about his other qualification? Police and Security. We need that too. He was the SAF commander in 1989-991. During his tenure as PNP head (2002-2004), his old unit involved itself in numerous high profile activities: fighting terrorists, disarming private armies, arresting criminals, protecting ballot boxes. Seems he did pretty well because the 2004 election was the most peaceful. Oh wait, wasn’t that the one that involved the “Hello Garci” thing? Maybe I should stop right here. Every time I think about his qualifications more questions come up. I doubt I’ll find easy answers. More research will eat a lot of time. But I’ll still keep an eye on this one.

Alright, questions aside, my current assessment is:

He has a track record keeping the law and building infrastructure. He seems reliable in these aspects.

No Platform.

Platform and Personality

It’s not an either/or statement. It does not end in a question mark. I’d like a president who stands for something and possesses the qualities to follow through. I’d like it for all our officials actually.

Previously, I placed a premium on platform. My teachers and friends kept pointing out its importance when I was still a formal student. It’s the usual reasons: issues not personality, The candidate’s stand, a plan of action is more important, must have clear goals. So for several years that’s what I looked at. After a few elections, I realized platform is not so important in this country. Let me risk the ire of educated political observers:

Platform is not so important in this country

Ok before I get lynched, understand there is a good reason for saying this. It’s because politicians lie. It’s not the only reason but let’s leave that for another time. To soothe some tempers:

It’s because politicians lie

I’ve seen some well presented very logical and well meaning platforms. Were they ever enacted? No. In many cases, not vigorously if there was ever an effort. By the time the politician got into office the ball game changed in his eyes. Once elected, he spent his energy defending or expanding his turf. And of course he had to exercise his power. After all, a person’s got to enjoy what he has right? To paraphrase Stan Lee: with great power comes the responsibility of using it to crush opposition.

So the politician will do and say anything to get into office. Then he can coast and do his own thing. If anyone dissents he can use his influence to silence them.

I’m not going to deify platform politics at this point. It can’t be the only criterion. The best bet should have decency and a good heart as well as a good platform. Having a plan does not magically make one willing to implement it. What’s the use of the best analysis and most masterful plan if the person has no intention of following through? Basically, I want someone who seems reasonably willing to work for the nation, to keep his political will, to be transparent, and to listen to the citizens. In short:

Let’s look for a decent person

This election, I will look for a person that seems decent and sane. If I see a likely candidate I’ll go look at his platform. Conversely, if I find an interesting platform I’ll go check out its champion. If the person is untrustworthy, that platform is near worthless.

I realize it will be difficult to ascertain a person’s character through observation. The alternative though is less acceptable. Having a good president will pretty much be a crap shot. Expect more of the same for the next 6 years. Same placebo government projects. Same political drama. Same graft and corruption. Wonderland is eternal.

Provident Village Scandal

Should we blame the real estate developers for this mess? I wanted to know and started looking for the people behind Provident Village. I came across this:

http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2007/jan2007/gr_154739_2007.html

It seems these people are PROSECOR (Provident Securities Corp.), a company that closed in 1987 and which carries a rather colorful history.

In 1979 the President of the Provident Village Homeowners Association filed a complaint with the National Housing Authority (NHA) because PROSECOR violated five sections of PD 957 including the provision requiring them to provide an open space for the residents.

Unfortunately before the NHA ruling could be enacted, the papers pertaining to the case mysteriously vanished. You’d have to be denser than Osmium if you don’t find this suspicious.

Then PROSECOR sells the open space and some other lots to another corporation, thus dragging them into the mess.

In 2002 this article came out in the Manila Standard.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1370&dat=20020913&id=_pIVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xgoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3920,1293475

Apparently the company was also involved in legal action when about 102 lot buyers failed to receive their titles. The article noted that the respondents (company and its owners) were fined for unsound business practices. Notice too the section on “fraudulent manipulations”.

I did a simple web search on the owner of the development company. It’s very interesting but remember that duplicate names abound.

I’d like to be more generous with my assessment but there is one fact that floored me. According to the second article, PROSECOR did not even submit required papers or even have the subdivision plan registered with the NHA. The order to stop selling lots came only in 1978. By then people had already bought lots. Great… Insert expletives here…

So it’s pretty obvious the developer failed with a capital F. Government didn’t even have a chance to review the developer’s plan prior to implementation. You’d think that some official would have noticed an undocumented subdivision being built in the area. Apparently no one did. The only thing left for government was to clean up the mess. Unfortunately, government failed to do that too. Sure the lawsuits were settled and the people’s finances were smoothed out. It seems no one considered the people’s safety.

Where News? There News.

Is it just me or are we lacking coverage on the effects of Storm Pepeng on Northern Luzon? I keep catching stuff about Ondoy on local TV. Little on the internet too. Granted its important, but there are also things happening to other people outside of Metro Manila and its happening now. The cynic is saying, "Manila is closer to the TV and news stations than Tuguegarao. Easier to do a story here." Well I hope the cynic is wrong and that, despite the 175kph winds, nothing happened to the north and the people there.

Storm Update

Storm Pepeng spared central Luzon but struck the north. The TV images are pretty intense. Low visibility from the torrential rain, dancing utility poles, fallen trees, swollen rivers. Supposedly the storm weakened prior to striking land at 3 pm this afternoon. Now it's only packing 175kph winds with 215 kph gusts. I suppose we should feel a little better eh? I worry about all the people affected. There might not be as much rain but those winds will cause a lot of harm.

And we're now officially in a state of calamity. I hope the funds released will all go towards helping the needy instead of lining the pockets of the callous. It seems my acquaintances are not the only people worrying about losing relief funds. Every so often commentors on news sites leave messages with this theme: concern over relief funds or goods.

I remember stories about misdirected goods; someone wanted to steal them. Or evacuees being held at evacuation centers so officials can continue to receive relief funds. Sometimes food and medicine would be discovered months later hidden away and expired or rotten. A person must have paid with his life because of someone's greed.

There would be some investigation then something new will take the limelight. The cases fade from public awareness. Then they fade from public memory and turn into stories and myths. People forget. The guilty escape.

If anyone has misgivings about sending donations to the government then please send it to a private entity you trust. Some corporations have foundations set up for this purpose. An alternative is to give aid through NGOs and international agencies like the Red Cross. And that doesn't just apply to the Philippines. Indonesia and Samoa were also struck by tragedy this week. I'm sure they'd appreciate help too.

Here We Go Again

Well there's another storm coming, this one with winds over 100kph. Fortunately, there's enough warning to prepare for the worst. I hope I'm wrong but with everyone still reeling from the floods, this could me even more disastrous. According to the news the storm should hit land by the afternoon. Lets see...

If I Were Single I'd Move

I blame the static electricity after the storm. I was reading through the Philippine Star [RP Dragonboat teamhelps rescue..., page14, 29 Sept 09] and came across a rather interesting quote. Pay attention to the last sentence:

The Makati City government has allotted P15 million to help localities placed under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Coordinating Council, Mayor Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

He said the P15 million will be used to provide relief goods and other basic needs of flood victims, particularly blankets and sleeping mates.

source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=509505&publicationSubCategoryId=207

Ok I know its a typo but I just cant resist [warning. The Soup mode activated]:

• If I were single, I'd move to Makati NAO!

• Is this considered a Public or Private Enterprise?

• Wow, he's really pulling out all the stops for the elections.

• Can we choose or are they assigned?

• I already have one, can I just get a cash refund?

• Is trading allowed?

• Sir, I'd like to volunteer....

• I guess we know his stand on the Reproductive Health Bill.

Cynic Dries Out

I've been scanning the news online. If there's any political dividend out of this flood tragedy, it will likely go to administration candidate Gilberto 'Gibo' Teodoro, Jr. As Secretary of National Defense and Head of the Disaster Coordinating Council, he certainly benefits from the media attention. The rather heroic [and it is heroic] nature of commanding the rescue effort does hang a halo over his head.

Well, since he's in the limelight I guess I should start looking at his credentials. I like halos around politicians. They're like bullseyes. And apparently others are taking aim as well. Just today there's been a rumor that Gibo has been refusing foreign aid saying that the country did not need it. Ahh, dredge the mud from the flood and sling it around...

I then go check out the news. No mention of the man turning away help. Most of the news items I saw had him asking for help. I then check out his website [ http://www.gibo.ph/ ]. No mention of him asking for or refusing aid. Most of the items are reports on the state of the rescue effort.

While I'm there I check out his platform. Its split into two pages, My Views and Strategy. My Views identifies broad challenges that he wishes to address. His Strategy is surprisingly detailed considering the vagueness of the My Views page. For each region he identifies specific plans.

I check out the Bicol region. Its a mixed bag. Better disaster preparedness is good. Drainage system mainenance is good. Damming the rivers, if not handled properly, may result in environmental damage.

What else? Land development. What kind of development? More commercial establishments and condos instead of farm land? A Technopark or Industrial Park? I think I prefer infrastructure development over land development. How about building roads and sewers that are good enough to accommodate a population growth of 2% per annum?

He also plans on more R&D for the promising steel and engineering sector. Ok, that's interesting and new. For the longest time must development efforts centered on tourism, agriculture and handicrafts. This may be a better direction. I'd love to see the basis of his assessment.

Overall, the site articulated vague principles alongside a to-do list for each region. The only thing lacking is an explanation of how everything actually integrates. It seems as if he really doesn't have an integrated platform. This may not be sufficient. I'll continue checking his site.

I'll be looking into the Honorable Secretary's past accomplishments in a future post. It should give some more insight on the man's character. One thing is certain though. He goes out on the field trying to get people to safety.

Political News Rained Out

Most of the talk about politics have, thankfully, been suspended due to rains. Some of the presidentiables seem to be mobilizing their own resources to help the people stranded in the floods. Well If some of the politicians got the money from public coffers, it's one expense I don't mind.

The volume of water surprised everyone. In fact I was out driving yesterday afternoon at the height of the storm. I didn't know the rivers and dams were already overflowing. Apparently a month's worth of rain fell in just 6 hours yesterday. Considering its still monsoon season... its a lot of rain.

My impatience saved me because I decided to head for a nearby bookstore instead of waiting in the traffic jam that I saw. Inside, the store staff traded stories: people seeking shelter at town halls, waterways overflowing, floods nearby. Power was being shut down in some areas because lines were submerged. Nearby buildings were already dark.

So I waited and called my wife on the celphone. I told her to stay at the school. She told me not to take undue risks. I managed to get there when the traffic subsided. The water though was still rising in areas. Water ran like streams down some of the roads I passed. On our way back, I saw water gushing out of the gates of the local pumping station.

When we got back to the house, we hunkered down and started calling. Getting word from our friends and relatives was difficult. The telecom systems were likely swamped. A lot of communication passed through chat, email and Social Networks. Fortunately for us most of our friends and family seemed safe if a bit battered. Sadly, it was really ugly for others. But when this is over I can already hear what people will be saying:

It was bad. It could have been worse.

Where are we?

This is an attempt to make sense of the events in this little corner of the universe. I'm sure I'll find it useful for keeping my sanity. Maybe my younger relatives will find it useful for understanding their environment when they start noticing the strangeness. The Blog as a cure for our notoriously short memory. If only it were that simple.

and, by the way, hello world.