Calamity exposes all
As of this writing, rain continues to pour. The sun peeks out every now and then, but the week has been a never-ending gray. Things have settled in some areas, with flood levels subsiding. Other areas, however, continue to wait for any bit of relief, with some reports coming in that more rain might still occur.
Widespread calamity such as this exposes cracks in our exterior. What may have been deniable before refuses to be ignored now. Billions of pesos in flood control projects have been exposed to be severely lacking. Corruption, clearly, isn’t harmless. The illicit system of allotting kickbacks for every government project means that these projects would have to make do with subpar materials, subpar design, and subpar labor. Significant delays in repair and construction render our streets and communities vulnerable, with reports of construction posts obstructing vital drainage ways and children falling into construction pits.
As we invest a lot of money in flood pumping stations, we have severely neglected our sanitation and waste management. The volume of trash in our drainage systems and waterways has sabotaged any efforts to control flooding. We shouldn’t have been blindsided by this; this is yet another longstanding problem that we have ignored. I see rebukes and admonitions toward people not to throw their trash indiscriminately. But this is a deep failure to understand the problem. Waste management is not just a matter of individual responsibility; it is a collective and state responsibility.
Lack of discipline occurs in environments where rules and regulations are inconsistently or inequitably enforced. It is also more likely to occur when one lacks the resources and tools to follow the rules, making the cost of following the rules high. When it comes to waste disposal, we do not make it easy for people to throw their trash responsibly. Trash bins and dumpsters are few and far between, considering the density of the communities they serve. Trash collection is likewise too infrequent, tempting people to dispose of their trash in other ways lest it accumulate too much at home. Simply adding more trash bins and emptying them more frequently will already increase the likelihood that people will dispose of their trash responsibly. A good supportive system breeds discipline and responsibility.
News reports showing mountains of plastic bottles bottlenecking (pun not quite intended) our floodways show that we have underutilized recycling for far too long. Our waste management system does not promote easy recycling. Recycling adds steps to our trash disposal, and too many people opt out, thinking it’s a waste of effort. What we need to do is integrate it with our regular waste disposal, making it a lot easier for citizens. Recycling initiatives exist in various local government units (LGUs), but they generally require that we drop off our recyclables at facilities. If we follow the example of other countries and collect recyclables alongside regular waste, that is one significant step removed, lowering the behavioral cost and making recycling behavior more likely.
Calamities can also expose someone’s character. During emergencies, we see which public servants rise to the challenge and which ones prioritize their egos. We see some LGUs work tirelessly and silently, implementing their disaster response systems. Evacuation centers are ready; food packs are being prepared by volunteers. I see some reports lauding Marikina’s long-term efforts in flood control and response finally bearing fruit. On the other hand, we have the misguided communications by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who made inappropriate jokes as he announced the suspension of classes in certain regions. It is disheartening that he doubled down on his ill-toned joke by labeling those who criticized his tone “bashers” and by claiming that that’s simply how he talks. It seems the Secretary needs to adjust to the dignity of his office. I don’t question his good intentions, but he needs to realize that how someone jokes says more about them than they realize. By calling citizens trapped in flooded neighborhoods “abangers,” he minimizes their plight and likens this to any other rainy day. His joke that he was so full from eating that he fell asleep shows his privilege. It also makes me wonder how a DILG Secretary seems to be so leisurely amid a disaster that affects multiple regions. Note to public officials: your tone matters. In a calamity, keep it sincere. People need to know that their government is there for them. If I cannot dissuade you from jokes, as the Secretary said, he simply hoped to provide “good vibes”; don’t joke at the expense of constituents. Punch up, not down.
Calamities also expose our strength. There are many heartwarming stories of volunteer and relief efforts. Of people saving each other and keeping each other safe. Jokes of the right tone that allow people to take mental relief from the heavy toll of the rain. Calamities show the real Philippines, both the good and the bad.
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aatuazon@up.edu.ph
