Odette has caught us by surprise by its strength. Although we knew it was coming but no amount of preparation readied us for its onslaught. To date, some roads still have not been cleared. There does not seem to have enough manpower to do things in a jiffy. The expanse of the damage has made the many hands that have come to help still wanting. We need people-power!!!
We need the same involvement to clear off the streets as a demonstration of malasakit. A concern for those who are around you and with you as you use the streets. I see many people just sitting at the side roads, apparently doing nothing. And yet there is a not to sweep.
Many times I have to quell the urge to get down and bring out a trash bag and clear the branches that take one part of the road and have the commuters scurry to one lane just because the residents nearby do not want o take off the leaves and twigs off the road feeling it is government’s responsibility and not theirs.
Well, it may be primarily the barangay or the municipality or city’s role. But with their hands full with the major acts of repair, relief and rehab, they need our cooperation to help clearing some of the public areas.
I commend the move of Cebu City to call today a Clean-up Storm. Or whatever name it has been given. It is a call for the citizens to help clean the roads, whether along main thoroughfares or in the inner streets. This simple act means a lot considering how much the Visayan Electric Company and the Metro Cebu Water District have to cover in restoring much of the lines for electricity and water.
From where I live, many homes have been affected, roofs curled or simply been lifted off and deposited in another person’s yard or home.
Some cities still have power lines laid on the streets and the pathetic sight of people lining up for water as early as dawn is a surreal picture coupled with a backdrop of fallen posts and naked trees. Man is tested particularly in the lines at gas stations. At the height of the aftermath, tempers were a-rise. It took a lot of patience from the tired and weary gas attendants to bear with an equally tired and panicky mob. Some experienced harassment brought about by long waits. I am glad that as of this writing, the frenzy has eased and people are calmly queuing up.
Indeed, in times of crisis our character is tested. How we respond to a situation is highly dependent on our instinct for self-preservation. My hats off to the local government officials who we have seen are trying their very best to address the dire situation we all are facing. And my prayers to those who are using politics to hinder speedy delivery of assistance to the affected and afflicted. We have a God who sees our hearts.
There are still many who need the basics. Food, water, shelter. As some enterprising individuals take advantage of these needs, there are those good souls who share what little they have even if it means they have to take on to lines again the next day.
Many thanks to those individuals and businesses who have shared what they have even if they were not expected to open their water lines or distribute food packs to others. New rains are still in the clouds. But our prayer is that it may just water the thirsty vegetation, and cleanse our spirit.
Go, Cebu! We can do this! God is on our side.