Tests of leadership

While others were busy nitpicking on the sidelines, it is noteworthy that Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. did not allow himself to be distracted from doing his job as chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). Since typhoon Ondoy struck last Saturday, Gibo has been on the roll. He is obviously doing his level best given the disaster-response capability of the government, which in itself is in a state of disaster.

This we saw on TV news as Gibo tried to assuage the public that government officials like him were ready to extend all assistance humanely possible to help those stranded and trapped on the rooftops of their flooded homes. Citing himself as example, Gibo was able to get through the floods by taking the elevated Metro Rail Transit (MRT) to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. A lesser stuff leader would just give up trying.

Given the sheer lack of needed rescue equipment such as rubber boats and transport facilities that could go through more than 10 feet high floods, the NDCC chief would drown on these woes. But fortunately he did not. Gibo showed the kind of leadership needed in these very trying times.

So it is no easy job to be on the shoes, rather on the rubber boots of Gibo. He did not have to wade through the floods to show he is on the job. 

The immediate task before him is to mitigate the devastation wrought by Ondoy in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna and Cavite. But given the available rescue resources at his disposal at the NDCC, Gibo had to make the hard decision “to give priority” to areas at most risk of being wiped out. At the height of Ondoy’s onslaught, Gibo identified the cities of Marikina and Pasig and Cainta as the areas where the rescue efforts must focus first.

It’s more than five days now but some areas in Pasig City and in Rizal Province are still submerged in waist-deep floodwaters. The floodwaters, especially those in Marikina City and in Cainta, Rizal, appear orange-brown. This means topsoil has been washed down. More rainfall at this stage clearly poses more dangers of landslides.

We are again faced with the threats of “Pepeng” which weather experts fear may develop into a “super” typhoon. Barely coping with the continuing demands of relief operations, Gibo is changing tack. This early, he has deployed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to implement a “pre-emptive” evacuation of residents living in high-risk places or those prone to severe flooding and landslide. As the NDCC chief, Gibo also mobilized the Philippine National Police to help implement the “pre-emptive” evacuation, especially of women and children and those less physically able to move them out of harm’s way.

Of course, such forced evacuation is an extreme measure. For sure, a forced evacuation would certainly be met with stiff resistance. The natural instinct of people would be to stay in their homes and protect their remaining valuables. This was the same dilemma of rescuers at the height of Ondoy’s wrath. We could not blame these people when looters are all over the place taking advantage of the calamity situation.

But another question is, can the government sustain these evacuation centers already teeming with people rescued from Ondoy’s flooding? It is here where civic-spirited individuals and the corporate social responsibility of private companies come in. Our government can do only so much.

After taking stock of the extent of damage wrought by Ondoy all over Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Gibo raised the call for help to the international community. A leader does not pussyfoot in calling for outside help when faced with odds beyond one’s reach.  

Fortunately, there was immediate response on humanitarian relief assistance that started pouring in from our neighbors and allies. The United States was the first to come to help. Friends from the international community later responded one after the other like China, France, Australia, the European Union, Singapore, Germany, Canada, and many other countries heeding the SOS call of the Philippines.

Last Tuesday, Gibo had a close call of sort with Mother Nature. Accompanied by PNP Deputy Director General Leopoldo Bataoil, Gibo took a morning flight on board a Vietnam-vintage UH-1H helicopter from Camp Aguinaldo to conduct aerial survey of Ondoy’s damages in Central Luzon. Safely landing at an Army camp in Arayat, Pampanga, they proceeded to the site where the landslides happened killing 12 persons. After they visited the affected residents and condoled with their families, they took off for Manila by noon. But by that time, bad weather started to develop.

While airborne, the Huey chopper struggled through thick clouds battered by strong winds and heavy rains. I’ve ridden many times in a Huey chopper and I know the feeling inside such a rough ride. A certified fixed-wing pilot, Gibo agreed not to push their luck. They diverted instead to Clark Field where Teodoro and his party planned to proceed to Manila by land.

With already zero visibility, the pilot was forced to take a precautionary landing at the first clearing he saw. It turned out to be the Ayala Mall in San Fernando City. The chopper had a safe touchdown near a garbage area. Hence, garbage trashes were flown all over the place by the whirring of the huge chopper rotor blades.

Wearing a ball cap, Gibo was initially accosted by the mall’s security guard and asked them: “Mga sino kayo?” It was only after Gibo removed his cap when the guard finally recognized him. The guard later told Gibo he has seen him on TV during the past few days. While cooling their heels at the mall’s coffee shop, some people started to recognize Gibo and gathered around posing for photographs with him. The group took off an hour later for Manila taking the same Huey chopper. 

If it is any source of comfort for Gibo, at least there is now some increased awareness by people of who he is. But in fairness to the guy, he has resisted using this crisis situation he is busy with, as a platform for his presidential bid. He has the propriety and decency to keep politics aside for now. He must pass more tests of leadership to gain the trust of the people that they can rely on him to save their future.