Explanation for the flooding, cause not linear (no single cause) but systemic

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Causes of flooding in the Philippines

The cause of the flooding has been politicalized and many netizens/ citizens are not thinking properly.  Gone should be the mindset that events are caused in a single direction by single element.  The mindset being advanced (in critical thinking) is that causes are systemic. There are many interrelated elements contributing to result.  Just like the numerous wheels in a clock -  when one or several stop or are damaged the watch stop working.

So with the floods.

Because of the flood control narrative being spread, now it is common for many to say that the graft, the propensity of govt agencies concerned caused the floods.

But an expert pointed out that the solution to the flood control will mean many factors to work on:

     1.  lessening the flow:   reforestation, impounding pounds upstream

     2.  downstream :   dikes, storm drain, flood plains, deltas, pumps, solid waste disposal

     3.   sea:       retaining walls pumping station, 

     4.  safety  and risk mitigation -  remove the residents from flood prone plains and river banks, coastal areas.  

In Pampanga for instance, the almost permanent flood at Hagonoy, Masantol and Macabebe are caused by cofluence of flooding of Pampanga river, blocking of the drain by the NMIA construction, and the high tides all contribute to the flooding.    Raising the street level was band aid solution.     Having floodgates and massive pumps for the Pampanga river, looking at the NMIA blocking the rivers are worth looking into.  

Pampanga is a basin coupled that with the lahar lessening the water carrying capacity of rivers.  And the contribution of the Pampanga river being backfilled by Manila bay tides.   

We have forwarded this knowledge to a developer who wants to develop in an area which is near the rirver and a gulf.  Its elevation seen in Google Earth is at -0.1 meter    Pag naghightide ng 4 meters, lulubog na ang site.  And then blame the govt...... and the politician.  We cant deny also that substandard dike construction lack of master plan for flood control, having projects that really matter, misappropiation (theft) of public funds are also to be blamed.   It is a justified  indignation that people decry trillions did not go into flood alleviation projects. Trillions purportedly for lessening the suffering of peole gone to waste (and we taxpayers are going to foot the loan repayment

For the past two weeks and even yesterday, the volume of rainfall was unusually very high.    Japan, Vietnam, China suffered the same fate like ours.    Wrath of heaven.  (to punish the plunderers?)

Coastal areas will be especially be vulnerable.   Decades ago, sea levels were predicted to be going up due to melting of the poles and the Himalayas peak.     May be we did not listen.  Many  resorts are being built, communities along typhoon prone and flood prone beach fronts.    And now we blame the politicians.   Those who do not follow the CLUP and the building code.  We bribe building officials, we influence the mayor to give relief to no build zones....

Corruption is the omni explanationn for the floods.   Not so

Why is UK becoming a third world country?

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UK became a destination for migrants, a land of their dreams.  Its no loner the case, There is not enough jobs, wages have not not gone up much but cost of living has.

Some the reasons mentioned were lack of productivity, stemming from a perception of glory of the past.  That is why there is little or no investment in learning and skills development.   

And may I add, the influx of refugees has corrupted the mindset and the determination of Englishmen.  The Muslims want to dominate UK, and in effect they are a vanquished nation?

Let us move on to culture of resourcefulness and initiative away from culture of patronage and the free

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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."