Payback time

Cries of helplessness, sobs of hunger…that’s what we feel and act. We? Yes, it’s we for all of us are involved in the race to survive against nature’s payback time.

Earth is a perfect planet to live in, abundance with natural resources. As the permanent owners of this so called home, have we nurtured and maintained her strength and stability?

That’s a query answerable by either yes or no. This requires honesty. Never be afraid to say no for this is a reality-based question and not based on mere fantasy. We have to accept the fact that we exploited nature’s beauty and bounty! We abused her to the fullest! We used her without setting limits! In general, we are all destroyers of our home. We are responsible for her damage. Fierce judgment, that’s what we can label the above statements. Objection your honor! It’s a fair judgment based on honest evidence. I’m sure all of us will be judged guilty beyond reasonable doubt of this heinous crime.

The landslides, super typhoons, storm surge, floods are products of our environmental unawareness and irresponsibility. When multiplied they equal the damage of material possessions, properties, existence of famine and crimes, trauma and anxiety, illnesses and losses of our loved ones. It only takes a second to make credits to our planet. However, it takes forever to pay it. These are what we harvest for what we sow. We will run to save our lives, we will call to God. This is nature’s fury, payback time starts now.

Nature’s wrath can’t be controlled anymore by man. Like a thief that comes in the night. These are the unexpected gifts nature gives us, gifts that are sources of pain, helplessness, stress, damage, and death. Ladies and gentlemen, nature’s fury is at its highest level. Payback time has started, expect the unexpected. It visits us in times that we can never predict. The mistake of our generation will be forwarded to the future. Our grandchildren shall pay the remaining interest of our debts. Our debt to the planet is like a curse passed down from one generation up to the last. No Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Barbel, or Darna can prevent payback time. Even the modernized monitoring systems can’t predict what will exactly happen. Que sera sera, “whatever will be; will be.”

Don’t panic. We can still choose whether or not to participate, get involved, be aware, and be prepared. Our choices will be the framework of our future, our destiny. Disaster preparedness and awareness will lessen the harm that catastrophe might bring us. Communication with our community and society will also be effective, thus it is advisable to attend to educational workshops and trainings. We can’t change history today, nevertheless the future is for us to design. It’s never been too late. Our planet won’t be stable like in 1,000 BCE. It won’t stop making us experience the pain it endured. However, there are still remedies that can cure nature’s illnesses.

Choose to participate, talk about educational topics rather than malicious tales, hearsay and lies. Choose to be knowledgeable. Choose to be prepared. Above all, be the REDS. Be the Responders of Emergencies and Disasters! Be informed, be aware, be responsible and the results will be worth it! Together, disaster resilient Philippines can be attainable!

Jey Ann G. Alimpolos

BSEd-IV Student, Cebu Technological University

San Fernando Extension Campus

San Fernando, Cebu