It is more fun criticizing
Manila Philippines, November 30, 2013
We met with our construction contractor for labor tonight. He just arrived from Leyte and he has been there since November 13, 2013 to assist his relatives who were victims of Typhoon Haiyan. He brought to assist his stricken relatives 50 relief packs and it cost him about a P100,000. He had many interesting stories to tell regarding the situation there:
Some relief goods distribution were just for a show
Not all were given relief goods. Those lines which were deemed to be full of people in same household were not given anymore. After photo ops, relief goods that were given were retrieved/recalled. Some relief packs were repacked (what for?)
Relief goods even as of this date have not reached the intended beneficiaries; why?
Some container goods were kept in warehouses and remained undistributed and heavily guarded in warehouses of local officials. What for?
Commandeered by the military?
He alleges that some relief goods carried by helicopters c/o the military were not 100% delivered; some were taken for personal use of the military personnel. Some military men were behind the pilferage of fuel in tanks (the guys in bonnet were encouraging the people to pilfer the gasoline in underground trunk? why?)
We can see generosity and cruelty of people in times of crisis
There was this townmate businessmen of this contractor who was hated before. But he brought from Cebu 3 truckloads of relief goods costing several hundreds of thousands of pesos to distribute to the typhoon victims in his town. On the other hand, there were rapes and robberies going on. Abandoned cars and motorbikes are being strippped for parts. There were wholesale theft of motorbikes in a store which was carried out clearly not in the name of survival.
There was even a band of robbers who shouted tsunami, and everybody ran away injuring many in the stampede that ensued. That was a ruse for the 3 robbers to rob the vacant houses. They were soon discovered and one of them was lynched, one was caught, and one ran away.
Gasoline is sold for 2x the price, construction materials are sold 2x their price that is why people cant rebuild their lost homes. If only construction materials were made available at prevailing market price
Lack of strong leadership and management needed
Our friend really deplored the politicking that was going on, greediness, self interest, and cruelty that was going on and the inability of the public sector to control this and take charge. It will tell heavily on the elective officials if they will still stay in office
Logistics management, crowd control, leadership must be practiced and taught. Many educated people only bring in cash, goods, and repacking labor to the table, but I guess we need good management practices in this kind of situation (and even morality and ethics) Amanpour was right - the actions here define the kind of people who lead and manage us.
Unbelievable devastation
From the stories he heard, the surge was more than 30 ft high. And people were not prepared for that. Many died from the ships that crushed their homes. There were little tornadoes that tore the structures apart. Would you believe that coconut trees were twisted by the strong wind?
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
Did Pacman pay or not pay the proper taxes?
It is more fun criticizing
Repost from Herald Sun | November 27, 2013
We have heard and seen the media battle between BIR and the Cong Paquiao on what appears to be a battle for the money - P2 billion ($50million) in tax deficiency being claimed by BIR from the congressman and Pambansang Kamao Pacman. Now, if the claims are true, then he is penniless if he cant touch is bank accounts. And this is humiliating, and embarrassing for the sportsman (have you been in this kind of mess)
Pacman's lawyers claim that income taxes have been paid in US as soon as they were paid to Pacman. Newspapers have listed him to have earned more than $300 million in purse money in his career. Last year his earnings was placed at $14 million.
Meanwhile, the PHL president has suggested to Pacman to face the issues at BIR (From PHLstar - PNOY to Pacman: Pay up, shut up | November 29 2013
Repost from Herald Sun | November 27, 2013
We have heard and seen the media battle between BIR and the Cong Paquiao on what appears to be a battle for the money - P2 billion ($50million) in tax deficiency being claimed by BIR from the congressman and Pambansang Kamao Pacman. Now, if the claims are true, then he is penniless if he cant touch is bank accounts. And this is humiliating, and embarrassing for the sportsman (have you been in this kind of mess)
Pacman's lawyers claim that income taxes have been paid in US as soon as they were paid to Pacman. Newspapers have listed him to have earned more than $300 million in purse money in his career. Last year his earnings was placed at $14 million.
Meanwhile, the PHL president has suggested to Pacman to face the issues at BIR (From PHLstar - PNOY to Pacman: Pay up, shut up | November 29 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Pacquiao needed a win over Rios not because it is a symbol for "Bangon Pinoy" but because he is broke?
It is more fun criticizing
News has it that Cong Pacquiao needed the Rios fight badly and many more fights, despite having aged all ready, because he is broke. He is hemorrhaging lots of money. Team Pacquiao entourage has mismanaged the earnings of Pacquiao, despite having accumulated more than $200 million.
His downfall will be his generosity, according to a Times article written by Michael Koncz:
Let us quote the excerpt:
Despite earning nearly $200 million during his brilliant career, Pacquiao always hemorrhaged money. Gary Andrew Poole's 2010 biography, "Pacman," laid out how Pacquiao's contracts were split: After his manager's took their 20-percent cut, his trainer Freddie Roach took 10 percent, strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza shaved off a few more points. There were also training camp expenses, tax bills in the U.S. and the Philippines, and his boundless, ever-growing entourage, all guzzling funds. According to a 2009 New York Times article by Greg Bishop, "Team Pacquiao has perfected the art of dysfunction. The entourage consists of trainers, assistants to the trainers, advisers, assistants to the advisers, cooks, dishwashers, car washers, publicists, gofers and security." For each fight, Pacquiao also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars flying his entourage to Las Vegas, buying hundreds of tickets, covering hotel rooms, and providing spending money. In the Times article, Michael Koncz, singled out Pacquiao's Achilles' heel: "The downfall of Pacquiao, if there is one, will be his kindness and generosity. At some point, I fear that's going to catch up to him." Beyond Pacquiao's generosity, he reportedly squandered millions from gambling. That doesn't even account for his fleet of cars and extensive property holdings, including houses, condos, apartments and such an intense desire to give his money away to the poor he had to hire people simply charged with the responsibility to apologize and prevent him from throwing money at all the open hands spread out before him.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Let us move on to culture of resourcefulness and initiative away from culture of patronage and the free
It is more fun criticizing
Rizal Philippines | November 24, 2013
Our laundryman seldom comes to work: when the govt local or national, distributes relief goods. She gets more from her working out her duties but would rather degrade herself lining up for the coupon and registration, and getting the goodies --> measly 2 kgs of rice, two pieces of sardines, 1 kg of sugar. The politicians rewarded her for doing that, and now that is her mindset. She and the rest of her compatriots who were victims of the typhoon leave everything to the government, and without the govt, they will die. They say: "We did not die from the typhoon, but we are going to die without the govt help coming our way." As if God did not create us without the power to be resourceful and have initiative. We know the devastation is so much; but as a Nora Aunor movie tells us: "We create our Gods and our own miracles"
It is time we change the mindset of our constituents. If it is backfiring even on the President and his cabinet, we only have ourselves to be blamed. It starts with politics of patronage, of campaigning, and having a indebtedness and gratitude for that vote.
We have forgotten: "Ask what you can do for your country, ask not what your country can do for you."
Rizal Philippines | November 24, 2013
Our laundryman seldom comes to work: when the govt local or national, distributes relief goods. She gets more from her working out her duties but would rather degrade herself lining up for the coupon and registration, and getting the goodies --> measly 2 kgs of rice, two pieces of sardines, 1 kg of sugar. The politicians rewarded her for doing that, and now that is her mindset. She and the rest of her compatriots who were victims of the typhoon leave everything to the government, and without the govt, they will die. They say: "We did not die from the typhoon, but we are going to die without the govt help coming our way." As if God did not create us without the power to be resourceful and have initiative. We know the devastation is so much; but as a Nora Aunor movie tells us: "We create our Gods and our own miracles"
It is time we change the mindset of our constituents. If it is backfiring even on the President and his cabinet, we only have ourselves to be blamed. It starts with politics of patronage, of campaigning, and having a indebtedness and gratitude for that vote.
We have forgotten: "Ask what you can do for your country, ask not what your country can do for you."
Are you betting on Pacman to win his match vs Rios today?
It is more fun criticizing
Rizal Philippines | November 24, 2013
The Pacman fight vs Rios today at Macau is but several minutes away. But I doubt whether he will win this time. My reasons:
1. He is on a losing streak: twice: Bradley and Marquez
2. He is not a focused anymore; he has many concerns:
1. As a congressman
2. As a singer/party goer
3. As a religious leader
4. As a games man. He plays and bets on billiards, and cockfight. On cockfights, some people report that he can lose millions in an hour, just like that. And he knows, whether he bets also in his fight.
4. He just said he worries about the compatriots who suffered from Super typhoon Yolanda.
This is to not to mention other concerns on his personal life.
Since he is all ready wealthy, (From Forbes - Pacquiao career earnings reach $300 million) I could not see the same fire and enthusiasm in his training and even in his last two fights. As they say, all good things must come to an end. Life could not be perpetually up, there are downs.
I just pray I am wrong. <Well I was wrong, he won and toyed with Rios yesterday, it was a vindication of Bradley and Marquez losses. ESPN - Pacquiao wins over Rios>
Pacman outclasses Rios
UK Telegraph - History of Pacman Career Fights
Bloodied and battered Marquez had a lucky punch?
Rizal Philippines | November 24, 2013
The Pacman fight vs Rios today at Macau is but several minutes away. But I doubt whether he will win this time. My reasons:
1. He is on a losing streak: twice: Bradley and Marquez
2. He is not a focused anymore; he has many concerns:
1. As a congressman
2. As a singer/party goer
3. As a religious leader
4. As a games man. He plays and bets on billiards, and cockfight. On cockfights, some people report that he can lose millions in an hour, just like that. And he knows, whether he bets also in his fight.
4. He just said he worries about the compatriots who suffered from Super typhoon Yolanda.
This is to not to mention other concerns on his personal life.
Since he is all ready wealthy, (From Forbes - Pacquiao career earnings reach $300 million) I could not see the same fire and enthusiasm in his training and even in his last two fights. As they say, all good things must come to an end. Life could not be perpetually up, there are downs.
I just pray I am wrong. <Well I was wrong, he won and toyed with Rios yesterday, it was a vindication of Bradley and Marquez losses. ESPN - Pacquiao wins over Rios>
Pacman outclasses Rios
UK Telegraph - History of Pacman Career Fights
Bloodied and battered Marquez had a lucky punch?
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Leyte residents victim of deadly typhoon and politics?
It is more fun criticizing,
Philippines | November 23, 2013
There was this news at Asia News that mentioned about Casiple analyzing why there was a standstill in the distribution of relief goods in Leyte after the supertyphoon Yolanda. There was a comment by the anchor that the residents of Leyte suffered from two deadly attacks: that of the typhoon and politics. Political grandstanding, (rather than positive action) found its way into the aftermath of the disaster and we know the adverse results
Right after the typhoon the President visited Tacloban and met with the local officials. The mayor was surnamed Romualdez (Alfred), an enemy of the President's family. As a political rival, you know, there would be lack of support for relief, rescue. And Casiple remarked that the President should have acted as President of the PHL not as President of Liberal Party.
I hope it is not. Now there is Senator Poe proposing a new law strengthening disaster preparednesss.
I would like to say:
1. There are the NDRRMC and whose leadership and procedures may just need to be tweaked/improved:
2. There is the RA 7077 whose primary mission is disaster and relief operations; the officers who are heads of the companies can be mobilized to assist in the relief operations using the assets of their company; but that will smack of martial law (but we have such a law).
3. I just witnessed this morning the water rescue team of a nearby town and the members told me that they had a budget for training, drills, supplies, equipment
What else do we need?
Philippines | November 23, 2013
There was this news at Asia News that mentioned about Casiple analyzing why there was a standstill in the distribution of relief goods in Leyte after the supertyphoon Yolanda. There was a comment by the anchor that the residents of Leyte suffered from two deadly attacks: that of the typhoon and politics. Political grandstanding, (rather than positive action) found its way into the aftermath of the disaster and we know the adverse results
Right after the typhoon the President visited Tacloban and met with the local officials. The mayor was surnamed Romualdez (Alfred), an enemy of the President's family. As a political rival, you know, there would be lack of support for relief, rescue. And Casiple remarked that the President should have acted as President of the PHL not as President of Liberal Party.
I hope it is not. Now there is Senator Poe proposing a new law strengthening disaster preparednesss.
I would like to say:
1. There are the NDRRMC and whose leadership and procedures may just need to be tweaked/improved:
2. There is the RA 7077 whose primary mission is disaster and relief operations; the officers who are heads of the companies can be mobilized to assist in the relief operations using the assets of their company; but that will smack of martial law (but we have such a law).
3. I just witnessed this morning the water rescue team of a nearby town and the members told me that they had a budget for training, drills, supplies, equipment
What else do we need?
Friday, November 22, 2013
More bodies recovered, death toll now at 5,258 from Supetyphoon Yolanda
Social and political criticisms
From Manila Bulletin, November 21, 2013
More bodies are being recovered at the Supertyphoon Yolanda ravaged areas bringing up the death toll to 5258 according to Task Force Cadaver. 1,602 are still reported missing. If the 1602 missing can not be accounted for, the death toll could reach 6, 800+ and there could be more. The 10, 000 announcement by Police Officer Elmer Soria who was relieved as a Recon Commander for making such a huge number (to the embarrassment of PNoy) could be true after all. Shall Pnoy reinstate him for being accurate? Or will Amanpour do that for officer Soria?
Some 2, 145, 359 families, or 9,996,065 persons were displaced by the typhoon.
Good news - Filipino nurses in the US would be coming home to assist in the disaster relief and rehab of affected areas
"US Nurses Reach Out
At least 1,500 nurses working in the United States will be Philippines-bound, dispatched in several batches, to augment Filipino medical contingents aiding the victims of super-typhoon “Yolanda.”
The first batch of volunteer-nurses, with disaster assessment experience, arrived in Manila from San Francisco over the weekend to join 36 other Filipino members of the 170,000-strong National Nurses United (NNU) already in the country.
The Registered Nurses Response Network (RNRN), a project of the California Nurses Foundation, launched a campaign to reach out to support local caregivers who are on the front lines right after news of the devastation to lives and property wrought by “Yolanda” in the Visayan region.
RNRN, also known as Heroes for Disaster Relief, called for volunteer nurses in the US and reponses were received from 50 states and its affiliate organizations in 12 other countries. Those who cannot come contributed to the response network funds. Each team will stay in affected areas in the country from 10 to 14 days for the humanitarian mission.
NNU had been in constant communication with the Philippine Alliance of Health Workers, an affiliate organization.
Zenei Triunfo Cortez, a top official of California nurses’ group, said every nurse sent was trained on disaster situations. Cortez, the first Filipino to head the group founded in 1903, added that the initial team “will effectively determine needs on the ground as we continue to contact volunteers.”
Filipino migrant Mary Faith Buenaventura, a medical neurology unit nurse at Kaiser Permanente in San Jose City, California, with training in disaster assistance, said she had not gone back to Manila for more than a decade, “but this time for a compelling and self-fulfilling reason to be of help.” (With reports from Hannah L. Torregoza and Luchie A. Arguelles)"
From Manila Bulletin, November 21, 2013
More bodies are being recovered at the Supertyphoon Yolanda ravaged areas bringing up the death toll to 5258 according to Task Force Cadaver. 1,602 are still reported missing. If the 1602 missing can not be accounted for, the death toll could reach 6, 800+ and there could be more. The 10, 000 announcement by Police Officer Elmer Soria who was relieved as a Recon Commander for making such a huge number (to the embarrassment of PNoy) could be true after all. Shall Pnoy reinstate him for being accurate? Or will Amanpour do that for officer Soria?
Some 2, 145, 359 families, or 9,996,065 persons were displaced by the typhoon.
Good news - Filipino nurses in the US would be coming home to assist in the disaster relief and rehab of affected areas
"US Nurses Reach Out
At least 1,500 nurses working in the United States will be Philippines-bound, dispatched in several batches, to augment Filipino medical contingents aiding the victims of super-typhoon “Yolanda.”
The first batch of volunteer-nurses, with disaster assessment experience, arrived in Manila from San Francisco over the weekend to join 36 other Filipino members of the 170,000-strong National Nurses United (NNU) already in the country.
The Registered Nurses Response Network (RNRN), a project of the California Nurses Foundation, launched a campaign to reach out to support local caregivers who are on the front lines right after news of the devastation to lives and property wrought by “Yolanda” in the Visayan region.
RNRN, also known as Heroes for Disaster Relief, called for volunteer nurses in the US and reponses were received from 50 states and its affiliate organizations in 12 other countries. Those who cannot come contributed to the response network funds. Each team will stay in affected areas in the country from 10 to 14 days for the humanitarian mission.
NNU had been in constant communication with the Philippine Alliance of Health Workers, an affiliate organization.
Zenei Triunfo Cortez, a top official of California nurses’ group, said every nurse sent was trained on disaster situations. Cortez, the first Filipino to head the group founded in 1903, added that the initial team “will effectively determine needs on the ground as we continue to contact volunteers.”
Filipino migrant Mary Faith Buenaventura, a medical neurology unit nurse at Kaiser Permanente in San Jose City, California, with training in disaster assistance, said she had not gone back to Manila for more than a decade, “but this time for a compelling and self-fulfilling reason to be of help.” (With reports from Hannah L. Torregoza and Luchie A. Arguelles)"
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
What is the similarity between Pres Obama and Pres Nikolas Maduro of Venenzuela
Food Stamp Costs Swelled by States Spending $1 on Heating Aid
It would seem that if there is a $1 spent on aid for eating, a US Citizen gets additional $1,080, thus further bloating aids and subsidies (and eventually deficits in govt spending leading to higher debt of the Federal Govt.) Will they not get tired of printing money and socialist spending?
Is there a similarity between Pres Nikolai Maduro (successor of Pres Chaves) of Venenzuela and Pres Obama of USA
US spending on the poor, for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) other name for food stamps given to unemployed to about 47.7 million Americans amounted to $75 billion about 1/8 of the $650 billion total groceries American spend annually. The food stamps are mostly redeemed at WalMart and Safeway. The US Congress plans to shave $39 billion from SNAP
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
I sat beside a Phil Navy rescuer who just came from Bohol and Leyte disaster
Social and political criticisms
PN rescuer from Bohol and Leyte tragedy
On the way to an appointment in Central Business District yesterday afternoon, I happenned to sit beside a bus a man who had a back pack, wearing orange T shirt and many markings (which includes a paratrooper patch on it) on them, a tiny flash light attached to his divers watch, and a two way radio. I remarked and asked question , "How was it in Leyte?" And he answered it was tiring.
Was there an op plan for clearing and dead body retrieval operations?
What did he do there? Security, relief distribution? No. Retrieval of the dead. He was being relieved to rest. He had not been home since Bohol earthquake. They were first responders to Bohol and then to Leyte. It has been a long and difficult tour of duty. He lamented that there was no plan on say dead body retrieval operations. He is a native of Inabanga Bohol.
He has to go back to Leyte after a week.
Are we prepared in MM just in case? Do they teach disaster preparedness in business school?
He asked me what do I do for a living? I said I teach sometimes in a school of business. He asked if we teach disaster management/response in the school. I said no. He said perhaps it should be. He is worried about a 7.2 magnitude earthquake preparedness in MM. Are there rescue clearing operations in place? I said that as far as I know. There is. May be it is time to review and rehearse the rescue people. And have regular drills?
On parting, I shook his hand, I saluted him and I said, " The country and I thank you for the wonderful job that you did for our brothers who lost during the tragedies, and he must keep doing such a thankless and good job." I hope that was consolation for job well done at his level.
PN rescuer from Bohol and Leyte tragedy
On the way to an appointment in Central Business District yesterday afternoon, I happenned to sit beside a bus a man who had a back pack, wearing orange T shirt and many markings (which includes a paratrooper patch on it) on them, a tiny flash light attached to his divers watch, and a two way radio. I remarked and asked question , "How was it in Leyte?" And he answered it was tiring.
Was there an op plan for clearing and dead body retrieval operations?
What did he do there? Security, relief distribution? No. Retrieval of the dead. He was being relieved to rest. He had not been home since Bohol earthquake. They were first responders to Bohol and then to Leyte. It has been a long and difficult tour of duty. He lamented that there was no plan on say dead body retrieval operations. He is a native of Inabanga Bohol.
He has to go back to Leyte after a week.
Are we prepared in MM just in case? Do they teach disaster preparedness in business school?
He asked me what do I do for a living? I said I teach sometimes in a school of business. He asked if we teach disaster management/response in the school. I said no. He said perhaps it should be. He is worried about a 7.2 magnitude earthquake preparedness in MM. Are there rescue clearing operations in place? I said that as far as I know. There is. May be it is time to review and rehearse the rescue people. And have regular drills?
On parting, I shook his hand, I saluted him and I said, " The country and I thank you for the wonderful job that you did for our brothers who lost during the tragedies, and he must keep doing such a thankless and good job." I hope that was consolation for job well done at his level.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
How to disaster (supertyphoon) proof Phil telcos; know more about Serval Mesh Extender and VFIN
Social and political criticisms
One of the difficulties after the onslaught of supertyphoon Yolanda in the PHL was the loss of power and telecommunications. In earthquakes and other disaster, the wireless cp is supposed to be the only thing that should not conk out. But conk out, the cp network failed.
A Chinese student reported that Huawei her employer has gone out with a telco to restore telecom with a help of mobile transmitter. Huawei has developed with Vodafone the Vodafone Foundation Instant Network that can restore communication in 40 minutes, weigh only 100 kgs and can be contained in four suitcases and shipped anywhere in the world instantly. The Huawei system has been used in southern Mindanao last December 2013 typhoon Pablo disaster
Why are our telcos earning billions not investing in these?
Mon Isberto an official of large telco said that several factors contributed to the loss of telecom in Samar Leyte: lack of supply of fuel, the corrosive salt in ocean surge that destroyed the telecom components. So maybe the learning curve for supertyphoon proofing telecom facilities is in order.
Japan looks to Taiwan for disaster proofing telecom
Japan is looking to Taiwan on how to disaster proof its telecom. One problem is the back up power supplies which last only for 2 hours. Now there are batteries that last for 24 hours relief and humanitarian efforts.
There is a current study in Japan for a multilayered telco system that consist of wifi, wi max and satellite communications that should be reliable in disaster.
Taiwan has developed International Technical Research Institute Open GeoSMS has been effective in coordinating relief and rehabilitation efforts.
In Australia, a Serval Mesh Extender system has been developed that can allow android phones to transmit messages without depending on telco network.
Instant Network solution by Vodafone and Huawei for disaster areas:
Here is the complete text:
One of the difficulties after the onslaught of supertyphoon Yolanda in the PHL was the loss of power and telecommunications. In earthquakes and other disaster, the wireless cp is supposed to be the only thing that should not conk out. But conk out, the cp network failed.
A Chinese student reported that Huawei her employer has gone out with a telco to restore telecom with a help of mobile transmitter. Huawei has developed with Vodafone the Vodafone Foundation Instant Network that can restore communication in 40 minutes, weigh only 100 kgs and can be contained in four suitcases and shipped anywhere in the world instantly. The Huawei system has been used in southern Mindanao last December 2013 typhoon Pablo disaster
Why are our telcos earning billions not investing in these?
Mon Isberto an official of large telco said that several factors contributed to the loss of telecom in Samar Leyte: lack of supply of fuel, the corrosive salt in ocean surge that destroyed the telecom components. So maybe the learning curve for supertyphoon proofing telecom facilities is in order.
Japan looks to Taiwan for disaster proofing telecom
Japan is looking to Taiwan on how to disaster proof its telecom. One problem is the back up power supplies which last only for 2 hours. Now there are batteries that last for 24 hours relief and humanitarian efforts.
There is a current study in Japan for a multilayered telco system that consist of wifi, wi max and satellite communications that should be reliable in disaster.
Taiwan has developed International Technical Research Institute Open GeoSMS has been effective in coordinating relief and rehabilitation efforts.
In Australia, a Serval Mesh Extender system has been developed that can allow android phones to transmit messages without depending on telco network.
Instant Network solution by Vodafone and Huawei for disaster areas:
Here is the complete text:
VODAFONE AND THE VODAFONE FOUNDATION PARTNER WITH TÉLÉCOMS SANS FRONTIÈRES (TSF) TO HELP BRING EMERGENCY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS TO DISASTER ZONES
Feb 16, 2011 00:00
Vodafone Press Release
The Vodafone Foundation agrees 3 year partnership to provide financial support to TSF
Vodafone to provide technical expertise and innovative mobile solutions, including a trial of Vodafone's instant network
[16 February 2011] The Vodafone Foundation is
deepening its partnership with disaster relief agency Télécoms sans
Frontières (TSF) to help bring emergency mobile communications to
disaster zones.
Télécoms sans Frontières specialises in bringing
wireless communications to affected areas to help humanitarian relief
agencies coordinate their efforts and to enable displaced families to
make a three minute call to reassure loved ones.
Under the three-year partnership, the Vodafone
Foundation will give the agency financial support of €1 million towards
its core costs. Vodafone will also be on-hand to provide TSF with
innovative mobile equipment for use in emergency situations alongside
technical expertise from its employees.
Vodafone has sealed the partnership by designing
and trialling a portable mobile network that could help relief workers
to reach victims more quickly. In the wake of a humanitarian disaster,
the first few days are critical in establishing an effective relief
effort. One of the major challenges facing relief agencies operating in
these chaotic conditions is the lack of an effective communications
network to get help where it is most needed.
To help solve this problem, Vodafone experts, working alongside Huawei at its Mobile Innovation Centre in Madrid, have developed a prototype portable GSM network that can be set up to handle free local calls among relief workers in less than 40 minutes.
Thanks to its innovative design, the prototype
can be packed into three suitcases which can be transported on
commercial flights, avoiding the inevitable delays that surround cargo
deliveries of bulkier equipment.
Vodafone, in collaboration with Télécoms Sans
Frontières and Huawei, recently ran trials of the prototype in a
simulated emergency situation in the Pyrenees in Spain. The
organisations are now evaluating the technology to see how effectively
it could be used in real operations.
"Once a disaster has occurred it is important to
get a communications network up and running as quickly as possible to
accelerate the benefits of aid relief," said Andrew Dunnett, Director of
the Vodafone Foundation. "We want to use our expertise and our
experience to help Télécoms Sans Frontières empower both aid workers and
victims in disaster zones across the world. This trial is a good
example of how Vodafone and the Vodafone Foundation are determined to
bring more than just money to the partnership."
"Télécoms Sans Frontières has operations in
nearly 60 countries worldwide that serve millions of victims and support
more than 550 humanitarian organisations. We have helped out in
emergencies such as the Tsunami in Indonesia and the floods in Thailand,
Pakistan and Colombia," said Jean-François Cazenave, President of
Télécoms Sans Frontières. "Vodafone has committed to give us access to
their people, access to their partners as well as access to their
innovation. Vodafone's support will help us to vastly improve our global
humanitarian relief capabilities. "
instant Network solution developed by Vodafone
and Huawei to establish mobile communications in emergencies. The system
weights less than 100 Kg and can be installed in around 40 minutes.
For more information about Télécoms Sans Frontières, go to:
http://www.tsfi.org/
For more information about the Vodafone Foundation, go to:
http://www.vodafone.com/content/index
Perfect Storm interview at GPS exonerates slow response at supertyphoon disaster in the PHL
Social and political criticisms
Rizal PHL November 17, 2013
There was an interview at GPS with Stephen Flynn and Lowe Garrett about the storm that hit the PHL. Some observations:
1. The response by the PHL and the international community was slow because many did not appreciate the magnitude and strength of the typhoon. Much data was available about the size and extent of the storm, but action preparedness did not ensue
2. Preparation for the storm in terms of infrastructure must come before the storm; you cant possibly cope with the aftermath if you have failed hospital
3. We are in a learning curve to deal with super disaster. PHL could not have done better.
Rizal PHL November 17, 2013
There was an interview at GPS with Stephen Flynn and Lowe Garrett about the storm that hit the PHL. Some observations:
1. The response by the PHL and the international community was slow because many did not appreciate the magnitude and strength of the typhoon. Much data was available about the size and extent of the storm, but action preparedness did not ensue
2. Preparation for the storm in terms of infrastructure must come before the storm; you cant possibly cope with the aftermath if you have failed hospital
3. We are in a learning curve to deal with super disaster. PHL could not have done better.
Are the latest miscues in the govt: the HK legislation in PHL, Leyte relief operations due to presence of shooting buddies?
Social and political criticisms
We are all aware that the difficulties were being blamed on LTO head Virgie Torres, who was alleged to be untouchable and "kaputukan" in the govt. And there was this USec Puno involvement in the HK nationals being killed in a hostage taking drama.
Some links:
From Get Real PHL on Usec Puno, a shooting buddy
From Philstar Life in a Pigsty on shooting buddies
From ABC CBN news - Sec Lima sees nothing wrong in being a shooting buddy
There were allegations that some officials stayed in their job despite not so stellar performance because of close association with the president (as shooting buddy)
We should be careful. Filosofo Tasio could be shot?!
We are all aware that the difficulties were being blamed on LTO head Virgie Torres, who was alleged to be untouchable and "kaputukan" in the govt. And there was this USec Puno involvement in the HK nationals being killed in a hostage taking drama.
Some links:
From Get Real PHL on Usec Puno, a shooting buddy
From Philstar Life in a Pigsty on shooting buddies
From ABC CBN news - Sec Lima sees nothing wrong in being a shooting buddy
There were allegations that some officials stayed in their job despite not so stellar performance because of close association with the president (as shooting buddy)
We should be careful. Filosofo Tasio could be shot?!
How come no one mobilized the Reserves as provided by RA 7077?
Social and political criticisms
ARESCOM Legal Mandate
At the height of the Pinatubo tragedy, the implementation of the CAD under RA 7077 or Citizen Army Law (patterned after Israel) was in full swing. Even during the eruption itself we were manning the VABROC (Villamor Air Base Relief Operations Center). And when weekly missions were held at Subic and Zambales, we, members of the PAFRESCOM were regularly utilized to conduct medical and relief goods distribution operations. We saw the harsh reality of conducting relief operations: some barangay looting the hi jacking the relief goods, theft of relief goods at the operations center, corruption regarding duty and patrol pay, etc. But they were beside the point.
The law was supposed to immediately mobilize the assets of the companies being led/in custody of the reserve officers in case of emergency like the Eastern Visayas, or even invasion. There is no need to wait for volunteerism. The Citizen Army is supposed to have been thoroughly trained and supplied with resources to carry out the mission in the law which says:
Section 7. Mission. - The mission of the Citizen Armed Force, alternately referred to as the Reserve Force, is it provide the base for the expansion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the event of war, invasion or rebellion, to assist in relief and rescue during disasters or calamities, to assist in socioeconomic development and to assist in the operation and maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of overall mission.
Thus, power, electricity, transportation, telco can be restored by the Citizen Army. May be the law was forgotten (I went out because my feeling was that the organic units were cannibalizing the budget of the Reserve Command - we had no uniform, no combat boots but my friends in t
he legislature told me that there was a budget)
Who is in charge of implementing this law? Are they implementing this and are they faithful to the mission? Who is the head of ARESCOM?
There could have been less finger pointing, less mea culpa and finger pointing etc. Or we say there is NDRCC naman. Or there were barangay training naman. But where were they when they needed the most. Even in the US, the weekend, the reserve soldiers do a wonderful job of relief and rescue. Cant we do it here.?
The Israelites were able to defeat the Syrians in the 1990 ME war because they were able to mobilize their well trained Citizens Army in 17 hours; the Syrians thought it would take them 24 hours. Only a well trained citizens army can respond that fast because they can be trained and disciplined to do so. Our civilian forces were into this melee for one week and there a lot of complaints.
There were police and army components naman eh. Look at the mission again of Citizens Army law vs the current problem of resources and mobilization
Let us act on this.
The typhoon is just a test: what if the neighboring ASEAN country or an Asian superpower invades us? Are we prepared? We can be prepared because we have law that says so.
No offense meant mga kababayang kong Noy Pi
ARESCOM Legal Mandate
At the height of the Pinatubo tragedy, the implementation of the CAD under RA 7077 or Citizen Army Law (patterned after Israel) was in full swing. Even during the eruption itself we were manning the VABROC (Villamor Air Base Relief Operations Center). And when weekly missions were held at Subic and Zambales, we, members of the PAFRESCOM were regularly utilized to conduct medical and relief goods distribution operations. We saw the harsh reality of conducting relief operations: some barangay looting the hi jacking the relief goods, theft of relief goods at the operations center, corruption regarding duty and patrol pay, etc. But they were beside the point.
The law was supposed to immediately mobilize the assets of the companies being led/in custody of the reserve officers in case of emergency like the Eastern Visayas, or even invasion. There is no need to wait for volunteerism. The Citizen Army is supposed to have been thoroughly trained and supplied with resources to carry out the mission in the law which says:
Section 7. Mission. - The mission of the Citizen Armed Force, alternately referred to as the Reserve Force, is it provide the base for the expansion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the event of war, invasion or rebellion, to assist in relief and rescue during disasters or calamities, to assist in socioeconomic development and to assist in the operation and maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of overall mission.
Thus, power, electricity, transportation, telco can be restored by the Citizen Army. May be the law was forgotten (I went out because my feeling was that the organic units were cannibalizing the budget of the Reserve Command - we had no uniform, no combat boots but my friends in t
he legislature told me that there was a budget)
Who is in charge of implementing this law? Are they implementing this and are they faithful to the mission? Who is the head of ARESCOM?
There could have been less finger pointing, less mea culpa and finger pointing etc. Or we say there is NDRCC naman. Or there were barangay training naman. But where were they when they needed the most. Even in the US, the weekend, the reserve soldiers do a wonderful job of relief and rescue. Cant we do it here.?
The Israelites were able to defeat the Syrians in the 1990 ME war because they were able to mobilize their well trained Citizens Army in 17 hours; the Syrians thought it would take them 24 hours. Only a well trained citizens army can respond that fast because they can be trained and disciplined to do so. Our civilian forces were into this melee for one week and there a lot of complaints.
There were police and army components naman eh. Look at the mission again of Citizens Army law vs the current problem of resources and mobilization
Let us act on this.
The typhoon is just a test: what if the neighboring ASEAN country or an Asian superpower invades us? Are we prepared? We can be prepared because we have law that says so.
A very relevant reminder?
Social and political criticisms
Rizal PHL | November 17, 2013
I saw this booth of a famous coffee brand and what they meant was to perk up the coffee drinker; at the same time this is very relevant to our leadership that must do more (or who might be asleep in their job and demands of the responsibilities of their position, especially in these challenging times
Coffee lang honestly, walang punning
Rizal PHL | November 17, 2013
I saw this booth of a famous coffee brand and what they meant was to perk up the coffee drinker; at the same time this is very relevant to our leadership that must do more (or who might be asleep in their job and demands of the responsibilities of their position, especially in these challenging times
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Truth about looting is in the middle?
Social and political criticisms
From 4th PMRE Regional Forum November 14 to 15, 2013
In the recent talk by the Dean of AIM, Dr. Ricardo Lim, he mentioned about truth is in the middle. He gave as an example the morality and ethics of looting. There could be no extremes; only moderation.
From 4th PMRE Regional Forum November 14 to 15, 2013
In the recent talk by the Dean of AIM, Dr. Ricardo Lim, he mentioned about truth is in the middle. He gave as an example the morality and ethics of looting. There could be no extremes; only moderation.
Colleague named Yolanda changed her name
Social and political criticisms
I met a colleague yesterday and I was surprised she was no longer her old name Yolanda. She has changed it to Maria. She said that the two strong typhoons that hit the country: Yoling and lately Yolanda has caused her to abandon that powerful name.
If you are named Yolanda, will you do the same ?
I met a colleague yesterday and I was surprised she was no longer her old name Yolanda. She has changed it to Maria. She said that the two strong typhoons that hit the country: Yoling and lately Yolanda has caused her to abandon that powerful name.
If you are named Yolanda, will you do the same ?
HK legislates economic sanctions vs PHL because PHL President refuses to apologoize over deaths of HK tourists in the PHL 2010
Social and political criticisms
Rizal PHL | November l6 2013
From Get Real Philippines | November 10 2013
The HK government has finally made good its threat to impose economic sanctions vs the PHL: high level black travel alert in the PHL and banning hiring of PHL DH. The PHL president has failed to apologize over the botched handling of the hostage crisis in Luneta in 2010 where 8 nationals from HK were killed, and accepting the responsibility for the security and protection of foreign nationals.
Some observers say that this idea could have come from Mainland China. And is one of the bullying tactics of China vs PHL in territorial disputes being currently fought by the PHL. Some say that HK is racist who think that PHL are mere DH.
I agree with that observation. We went to HK two years ago and I did not like the way we were treated: the van driver cursed us when we were a little bit late for the appointed time; the bell hops did not bother to lift our bags as we were checking out. The room maid, a HK national stole some of the food we bought/brought.
Both the PHL and HK are losers in this game where collaboration and cooperation is the key to mutual growth and prosperity. HK would lose to talented and hard working , dedicated DH without whom they could not engage in higher value activities. PHL on the other hand may lose (I doubt whether the whole of HK populace will follow the mandate to send home PHL DH) the HK remittances which is part of the revenue stream that keep the country afloat, and that which continue to drive up our modest economic growth.
Who is shooting our foot: HK or PNoy?
Rizal PHL | November l6 2013
From Get Real Philippines | November 10 2013
The HK government has finally made good its threat to impose economic sanctions vs the PHL: high level black travel alert in the PHL and banning hiring of PHL DH. The PHL president has failed to apologize over the botched handling of the hostage crisis in Luneta in 2010 where 8 nationals from HK were killed, and accepting the responsibility for the security and protection of foreign nationals.
Some observers say that this idea could have come from Mainland China. And is one of the bullying tactics of China vs PHL in territorial disputes being currently fought by the PHL. Some say that HK is racist who think that PHL are mere DH.
I agree with that observation. We went to HK two years ago and I did not like the way we were treated: the van driver cursed us when we were a little bit late for the appointed time; the bell hops did not bother to lift our bags as we were checking out. The room maid, a HK national stole some of the food we bought/brought.
Both the PHL and HK are losers in this game where collaboration and cooperation is the key to mutual growth and prosperity. HK would lose to talented and hard working , dedicated DH without whom they could not engage in higher value activities. PHL on the other hand may lose (I doubt whether the whole of HK populace will follow the mandate to send home PHL DH) the HK remittances which is part of the revenue stream that keep the country afloat, and that which continue to drive up our modest economic growth.
Who is shooting our foot: HK or PNoy?
Thursday, November 14, 2013
"How you react to this crisis will define your Presidency" - Amanpour of CNN to PNOY
Social and political criticisms
CNNs Cooper scores PNOY govt for slow aid response
The debate has been brewing over the performance of the PNOY cabinet on the Yolanda tragedy:
1. Sec. Mar Roxas said that the devastation was so much that the LGUs could not attend to the needs of everyone. But people were relying on the word of the Pres prior to the arrival of the typhoon. But we thought, that the national govt would be given its full support (meaning to say the cabinet officials had anticipated the extent of the damage that might result from the supertyphoon)
2. The residents/victims and some UN officials point to lack of knowledge and information and coordination on the ground. There was lack of good management and leadership? Hmmm this is an embarrassment to us PNOYs
CNNs Senior Correspondent Anderson Cooper has scored the PNOY govt for slow response to the tragedy (lack of direction and leadership?)
Here is the snippet of the news article
It wasn’t only Cooper who came up with these criticisms of the Aquino government’s handling of the relied and rescue. Other CNN reporters covering the typhoon story had the same observation.
Cooper’s plane was only able to land at the airport when the US marines cleared the airport of debris. Another CNN correspondent, Andrew Stevens said: “(I’m) increasingly frustrated.
“You walk around downtown Tacloban, there’s pile of rotting garbage; there are corpses and animals; there’s no real evidence of organized recovery, organized relief going on.”
The correspondent said he saw a van distributing relief goods but he guessed it was good only for 50 people. “There are tens of thousands of people who need food, water, clothes and medicines. “The frustration down there is extraordinary high,” the correspondent added.
In the midst of incredible disaster being experience by almost 700,000 people in the Visayas where an estimated 10,000 have died while others are convulsing in hunger, President Aquino was still in his usual blame the others mode, this time again on local officials for not heeding the “distress call”.
In his interview over CNN international with Amanpour, Aquino was asked about his responsibility as President. He was also asked whether or not he would agree that “the way you (Aquino) respond and your government respond to this terrible devastation will probably define your presidency”.
“I think you’re gonna ask all of the governors, for instance, on the areas that have been saying that… are making them aware of the dangers that were forthcoming from this typhoon that enabled them to move their population from danger areas and to safer areas and thereby minimize casualties.
“A lot of them, with the exception of Leyte province, Eastern and Western Samar, have reported that practically, well, one or two casualties or even zero casualties, when normally when we have a typhoon you will also have ships that were travelling that would have sunk, casualties in the hundreds probably didn’t merit too much attention,” was Aquino’s excuse.
On a personal note, Aquino was asked: ”How has it affected you, what you’ve seen, and how do you manage to reassure your people who have gone through this super typhoon, after the earthquake, after the typhoon last year?
Aquino said typhoons in the country are not unusual occurrences, but that this year has been an exceptionally bad year, with more than 20 visits.
He then claimed that he has been able to “demonstrate as a government and as a people, collectively, that we take care of each other and the government’s immediate response, I think, has been reassuring to the vast majority of our people,” claiming that he has that ability to take care of problems rather quickly.
He put the blame on the local executives, saying it is they who are responsible for the relief and rescue operations.
“Our system says that the local government units have to take care of the initial response,” Aquino said.
Rosemarie Church, a CNN anchor in Atlanta Georgia, commented that Aquino was trying to evade responsibility. Her co-anchor agreed with her.
In the worst hit areas where some of the local officials could not be seen or are presumed dead, survivors are looking up into the heavens, and the dead people, old and young, are piling up.
Aquino simply denied the slow response, as well as the bottleneck of trying to give vital aid to the people, laying all blame on the local executives.
CNNs Cooper scores PNOY govt for slow aid response
The debate has been brewing over the performance of the PNOY cabinet on the Yolanda tragedy:
1. Sec. Mar Roxas said that the devastation was so much that the LGUs could not attend to the needs of everyone. But people were relying on the word of the Pres prior to the arrival of the typhoon. But we thought, that the national govt would be given its full support (meaning to say the cabinet officials had anticipated the extent of the damage that might result from the supertyphoon)
2. The residents/victims and some UN officials point to lack of knowledge and information and coordination on the ground. There was lack of good management and leadership? Hmmm this is an embarrassment to us PNOYs
CNNs Senior Correspondent Anderson Cooper has scored the PNOY govt for slow response to the tragedy (lack of direction and leadership?)
Here is the snippet of the news article
It wasn’t only Cooper who came up with these criticisms of the Aquino government’s handling of the relied and rescue. Other CNN reporters covering the typhoon story had the same observation.
Cooper’s plane was only able to land at the airport when the US marines cleared the airport of debris. Another CNN correspondent, Andrew Stevens said: “(I’m) increasingly frustrated.
“You walk around downtown Tacloban, there’s pile of rotting garbage; there are corpses and animals; there’s no real evidence of organized recovery, organized relief going on.”
The correspondent said he saw a van distributing relief goods but he guessed it was good only for 50 people. “There are tens of thousands of people who need food, water, clothes and medicines. “The frustration down there is extraordinary high,” the correspondent added.
In the midst of incredible disaster being experience by almost 700,000 people in the Visayas where an estimated 10,000 have died while others are convulsing in hunger, President Aquino was still in his usual blame the others mode, this time again on local officials for not heeding the “distress call”.
In his interview over CNN international with Amanpour, Aquino was asked about his responsibility as President. He was also asked whether or not he would agree that “the way you (Aquino) respond and your government respond to this terrible devastation will probably define your presidency”.
“I think you’re gonna ask all of the governors, for instance, on the areas that have been saying that… are making them aware of the dangers that were forthcoming from this typhoon that enabled them to move their population from danger areas and to safer areas and thereby minimize casualties.
“A lot of them, with the exception of Leyte province, Eastern and Western Samar, have reported that practically, well, one or two casualties or even zero casualties, when normally when we have a typhoon you will also have ships that were travelling that would have sunk, casualties in the hundreds probably didn’t merit too much attention,” was Aquino’s excuse.
On a personal note, Aquino was asked: ”How has it affected you, what you’ve seen, and how do you manage to reassure your people who have gone through this super typhoon, after the earthquake, after the typhoon last year?
Aquino said typhoons in the country are not unusual occurrences, but that this year has been an exceptionally bad year, with more than 20 visits.
He then claimed that he has been able to “demonstrate as a government and as a people, collectively, that we take care of each other and the government’s immediate response, I think, has been reassuring to the vast majority of our people,” claiming that he has that ability to take care of problems rather quickly.
He put the blame on the local executives, saying it is they who are responsible for the relief and rescue operations.
“Our system says that the local government units have to take care of the initial response,” Aquino said.
Rosemarie Church, a CNN anchor in Atlanta Georgia, commented that Aquino was trying to evade responsibility. Her co-anchor agreed with her.
In the worst hit areas where some of the local officials could not be seen or are presumed dead, survivors are looking up into the heavens, and the dead people, old and young, are piling up.
Aquino simply denied the slow response, as well as the bottleneck of trying to give vital aid to the people, laying all blame on the local executives.
Faux pas after another hounds the PHL govt slow action to Yolanda tragedy
Social and political criticisms
The latest criticism or source of embarrassment for the Aquino govt is the allegation that relief goods from Germany via Lufthansa The news were circulating at the social media. Customs Commissioner Raffy Biazon texted the Presidential Communications and Strategic Planning Office that he investigated the allegations and found them to be untrue. We cant afford to discourage foreign countries from sending their aid with another form of looting.
One embarrassing moment was the CNN interview of the President; the President appeared pitiful when he showed lack of grasp of the situation The Leyte residents are becoming angry with the very popular President over the slow action on relief operations. Many relief goods are coming in but distribution of the same is slow because of lack of vehicles, fuel, and clogged roads.
Here is the text of the PNOY administration on the response to the tragedy:
The latest criticism or source of embarrassment for the Aquino govt is the allegation that relief goods from Germany via Lufthansa The news were circulating at the social media. Customs Commissioner Raffy Biazon texted the Presidential Communications and Strategic Planning Office that he investigated the allegations and found them to be untrue. We cant afford to discourage foreign countries from sending their aid with another form of looting.
One embarrassing moment was the CNN interview of the President; the President appeared pitiful when he showed lack of grasp of the situation The Leyte residents are becoming angry with the very popular President over the slow action on relief operations. Many relief goods are coming in but distribution of the same is slow because of lack of vehicles, fuel, and clogged roads.
Here is the text of the PNOY administration on the response to the tragedy:
During a meeting with officials in Tacloban, the president expressed annoyance at his top disaster management official and grew peevish when a local business
owner complained of being held up at gunpoint by looters. “But you did
not die, right?” Mr. Aquino snapped, according to local news media
reports, shortly before presidential guards ushered the man out of the
room.
On Tuesday, Mr. Aquino played down reports that the death toll
could exceed 10,000, suggesting 2,000 might be more realistic. In an
interview with CNN, he attributed the larger figure to the “emotional
trauma” experienced by those providing the estimates.
Ramon C. Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform
in Manila, said the debate over casualty figures was becoming an
unnecessary distraction. “I don’t believe the lower figures put out by
officials, but if the number turns out to be greater, you’re going to
have a political backlash,” he said.
A columnist for The Manila Times, Ben D. Kritz, ridiculed top officials,
among them the nation’s defense secretary, for flying to the disaster
zone without working phones. He noted that one of the first military
planes to land was carrying a van — which could not be used on Leyte
Island’s debris-clogged roads. “In the aftermath of the typhoon, the
response of the Aquino administration, as usual, has been an
uncoordinated, fumbling embarrassment,” he wrote.
The president’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Until now Mr. Aquino, popularly referred to as Noynoy, had a remarkably
smooth tenure as the leader of nation long derided as “the sick man of
Asia.” The son of former president Corazon C. Aquino and Benigno S.
Aquino Jr., a beloved political figure who was assassinated in 1983, Mr.
Aquino has earned high marks by taking on the endemic corruption that
has long bedeviled the Philippines. Among his most notable achievements
was a landmark peace accord with the nation’s largest group of Muslim
separatists that had evaded his predecessors.
Since his election in 2010, the economy has been expanding at a heady
pace, with 7.6 percent growth during the first half of the year. His
administration has bolstered tax collection and has helped fuel
increased spending on infrastructure, social welfare and disaster
preparation.
But few would deny that Mr. Aquino has been dealt a difficult hand in
recent months. In September, the government was caught off guard after a
splinter group of Muslim insurgents seized a city in the south,
prompting a battle with the army that left more than 200 people dead and
destroyed 10,000 homes. There have also been back-to-back natural
disasters, including an earthquake last month that killed more than 200
people on Bohol, an island that was battered again last week by Typhoon
Haiyan. Last year, Typhoon Bopha killed more than 1,100 people in the
southern island of Mindanao, causing $900 million in damage.
Enforcement of laws vs looting is difficult in extraordinary times - Sec de Liman
Social and political criticisms
Taking more than what they need? Technically theft?
There have been news about looting in Tacloban, and talk about declaration of martial law in the affected areas to enforce law and order. All ready, ABS CBN is investigating rumors of armed men shooting evacuees (which was later found out to be false) The mass burial was allegedly to have been disrupted by gunfire. There were also allegations that armed men (NPA) are supporting the massive looting that is going on.
Strictly enforcing the law vs looting in extraordinary times is difficult - Sec de Lima of DOJ
Here is the transcript of the news.
Strictly enforcing the laws, including penal laws on looting (technically, theft or robbery) during extraordinary times such as in times of calamity is easier said than done,” De Lima said.
De Lima pointed out that application of laws should be tempered with "compassion, mercy or liberality," taking into account the situation of victims who have no food to eat.
"What is imperative is real and physical presence of authorities, both local and national, to maintain peace and order,” she said.
Theft committed during the occasion of fire, earthquake, typhoon, volcanic eruption or any other calamity, vehicular accident or civil disturbance is punishable under Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code.
Hundreds of policemen and soldiers have been deployed to restore peace and order in the city. Malacañang said on Sunday that the situation is now under control, thinning chances of declaration of martial law.
The Constitution only allows the President to impose martial law if there is an invasion or rebellion. These conditions do not exist in Tacloban, de Lima said.
De Lima said the declaration of both state of emergency and a state of calamity is enough to address the situation in affected areas including breakdown of law and order. (Sunnex)
Posts have been made at this site that looting per se is not to be considered theft, as alleged in US situation post Katrina; it is a survival instinct in the face of breakdown of technology and delivery of basic services. However, taking only items for survival are justified probably, but not taking more than you need, including taking plasma TV or appliances (we saw footages of this in the TV)
Do you need the machine to survive?
Survival instincts?
Will businessmen leave these areas?
Huli?!
Soldiers guarding the malls/stores this time. But the pictures of looting are discomforting
Taking more than what they need? Technically theft?
There have been news about looting in Tacloban, and talk about declaration of martial law in the affected areas to enforce law and order. All ready, ABS CBN is investigating rumors of armed men shooting evacuees (which was later found out to be false) The mass burial was allegedly to have been disrupted by gunfire. There were also allegations that armed men (NPA) are supporting the massive looting that is going on.
Strictly enforcing the law vs looting in extraordinary times is difficult - Sec de Lima of DOJ
Here is the transcript of the news.
Strictly enforcing the laws, including penal laws on looting (technically, theft or robbery) during extraordinary times such as in times of calamity is easier said than done,” De Lima said.
De Lima pointed out that application of laws should be tempered with "compassion, mercy or liberality," taking into account the situation of victims who have no food to eat.
"What is imperative is real and physical presence of authorities, both local and national, to maintain peace and order,” she said.
Theft committed during the occasion of fire, earthquake, typhoon, volcanic eruption or any other calamity, vehicular accident or civil disturbance is punishable under Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code.
Hundreds of policemen and soldiers have been deployed to restore peace and order in the city. Malacañang said on Sunday that the situation is now under control, thinning chances of declaration of martial law.
The Constitution only allows the President to impose martial law if there is an invasion or rebellion. These conditions do not exist in Tacloban, de Lima said.
De Lima said the declaration of both state of emergency and a state of calamity is enough to address the situation in affected areas including breakdown of law and order. (Sunnex)
Posts have been made at this site that looting per se is not to be considered theft, as alleged in US situation post Katrina; it is a survival instinct in the face of breakdown of technology and delivery of basic services. However, taking only items for survival are justified probably, but not taking more than you need, including taking plasma TV or appliances (we saw footages of this in the TV)
Do you need the machine to survive?
Survival instincts?
Will businessmen leave these areas?
Huli?!
Soldiers guarding the malls/stores this time. But the pictures of looting are discomforting
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Various countries have sent aid to the Typhoon Haiyan Victims
Social and political criticisms
The just unloaded relief goods from a C 130
From Voice of American News November 12, 2013
From NBC news 1774 confirmed dead in Tacloban 2774 injured
The US has sent its Japan based aircraft carrier USS George Washington to deliver humanitarian aid to victim of the strongest super typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan in what is to be considered a Category 3 humanitarian crisis (as in Haiti disaster, and Japan tsunami) Some 11 million people were affected and and 600,000 displaced. US planes and helicopter have been used to air drop relief goods in far flung and inaccessible areas.
The aircraft carriers assets include 21 helicopters (what is needed in relief, rescue, and even medical emergencies) and a distilling plant capable of storing 1.5 million liters of water, enough to supply 2,000 homes
The PHL has provided some 1,000 troops to help clear the roads, secure areas, and help in the relief efforts. Various countries have pledged or given millions of dollar in help and relief goods.
However, bodies lay on the road or are buried and have not been cleared/buried:
The dead still littered the street.
Gathering the dead
The just unloaded relief goods from a C 130
From Voice of American News November 12, 2013
From NBC news 1774 confirmed dead in Tacloban 2774 injured
The US has sent its Japan based aircraft carrier USS George Washington to deliver humanitarian aid to victim of the strongest super typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan in what is to be considered a Category 3 humanitarian crisis (as in Haiti disaster, and Japan tsunami) Some 11 million people were affected and and 600,000 displaced. US planes and helicopter have been used to air drop relief goods in far flung and inaccessible areas.
The aircraft carriers assets include 21 helicopters (what is needed in relief, rescue, and even medical emergencies) and a distilling plant capable of storing 1.5 million liters of water, enough to supply 2,000 homes
The PHL has provided some 1,000 troops to help clear the roads, secure areas, and help in the relief efforts. Various countries have pledged or given millions of dollar in help and relief goods.
However, bodies lay on the road or are buried and have not been cleared/buried:
The dead still littered the street.
Gathering the dead
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Countries promise aid to the PHL
Social and political criticisms
From Washington post - US pledges $20 million and sends USS George Washington;
UK promised 10 million pounds and and C 17 to transport the aid.
Australia sends 10 million Australian dollars;
UN World Food program 2 million dollars;
Japan 10 million dollars
China $200,000 Huawei I learned is sending mobile telephone exchanges to help restore phone lines
Huwag sanang ma Napoles at pakialaman ng politicos
From Washington post - US pledges $20 million and sends USS George Washington;
UK promised 10 million pounds and and C 17 to transport the aid.
Australia sends 10 million Australian dollars;
UN World Food program 2 million dollars;
Japan 10 million dollars
China $200,000 Huawei I learned is sending mobile telephone exchanges to help restore phone lines
Huwag sanang ma Napoles at pakialaman ng politicos
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