Pala-isip

I just love the Internet, don't you? The power of instant communication has led to immediate action and fact checking my individuals instead of waiting for the news organization to report on it. Take the issue of Ella's blog titled Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo ? (A special report from a volunteer). Then the Dr. Esperanza Cabral of the DSWD immediately issued a statement . Then some volunteers went to DSWD to check on the matter and volunteer and wasn't let in by the guard even though the DSWD said there was a lack of volunteers and were told that repacking operations can last up to 11pm. None of that is happening. I'm not saying they're stealing the goods, but the lack of coordination and expediency of the relief operation is pretty disturbing to the donors. Here is Manuel L. Quezon III's blog about the whole incident. Here is the Bayanihan Online's timeline of events . Again, the issue is not whether the goods are being stolen or r...

With regards to the blog post of Ella that I reposted . Here is a statement from Dr. Esperaza Cabral of the DSWD. I may be cynical about the Philippine government, but I believe in fair and balanced news. I just hope that what Dr. Esperanza Cabral said is true. ===================== Statement of Dr. Esperanza Cabral on the issue of relief goods in the DSWD Warehouse October 23, 2009 The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) manages the National Relief Operations Center (NROC) which is the facility for processing and storage of relief goods that are purchased by the Department or donated to us by generous individuals both here and abroad. The relief goods are released to our Regional Offices or directly to evacuation centers or to the local government units as they are needed and requested by these entities. They are delivered in trucks, many of which were lent to us by private companies or by military vehicles. Some of the goods are shipped by air from nearby Vil...

This is unconfirmed, but this is from Blog Ni Ella at http://www.ellaganda.com/ . Which is now down. I am reposting this from Jenniepperson.com who was able to copy Ella's blog before it went down. Again, this is unconfirmed. I am reposting in the hopes someone in the know can clarify the situation. ================ Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? (A special report from a volunteer) Oct 21st, 2009 by ella Dear friends, I’m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat ito. Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email the photos. Philippine News (US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front page story this week. Every Filipino has the right to know where the tons of donations from the UN and other counties go. Kahit po nakakahiya sa mg...

Large parts of northern Luzon were flooded and without power Sunday after Typhoon “Pepeng” (international codename Parma) lashed the area, while authorities announced that the typhoon could still continue to pound the area for more than 3 days. Exactly one week after Tropical Storm “Ondoy (international code name Ketsana) dumped the heaviest rains in more than 40 years that devastated Manila, killing nearly 300 people, “Pepeng” ripped through Northern Luzon starting Saturday. Two separate landslides buried homes in the province of Benguet, killing 12 people on Saturday. In the town of Itogon, 7 construction workers were killed, all of whom were relatives. They were reportedly sleeping in a hut when the landslide occurred around midnight. A family of five, including a 10-month-old infant, was also killed in a landslide that occurred in Barangay Beckel in La Trinidad town. More from ABS-CBN News .

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer . Typhoon “Pepeng” yesterday skirted Metro Manila and environs, sparing fearful flood survivors who had lost homes and loved ones, but hit this Cagayan capital with heavy rains and strong winds starting at noon, killing three people. What was earlier described by the Pagasa weather bureau as a potential super typhoon toppled billboards and trees, ripped off roofs even of newly built houses, and severed power and communication lines in Cagayan and Isabela. Reports of rising floodwaters in low-lying sections of the city were received between 1 and 3 p.m. I know some people who said that PAGASA was wrong again saying that Pepeng was going to be a Super Typhoon. But honestly, sometimes we are to Metro Manila Centric. Those living in Metro Manila tend to think that the Philippines is only Metro Manila. While yes, PAGASA can be considered wrong in forecasting again. But it was only wrong in hitting Metro Manila. But PAGASA really needs to have better monito...

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer . Anticipating the impact of what might be super typhoon “Pepeng,” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared yesterday the entire country in a state of calamity to ensure that all government resources would be ready for a worst-case scenario. The declaration of a state of calamity clears local government officials to tap 5 percent of their funds for calamity purposes, and trade officials to set price ceilings on commodities, officials said. Pepeng (international code name “Parma”) slowed down at sea yesterday afternoon, prompting the Pagasa weather bureau to warn residents of Metro Manila and surrounding areas to prepare for the possibility of the typhoon changing direction and passing close to the metropolis. At a press conference, Dr. Prisco Nilo, Pagasa director, expressed concern over Pepeng’s slowdown, which, he said, was caused by a high-pressure area in Hong Kong that was blocking its northward progress. This could cause the typhoon to linger ...

Update on Typhoon Pepeng.

Pagasa said it could raise public storm signal number 4 over Northern Luzon Friday night if Typhoon "Pepeng" continued to strengthen in its current track. According to PAGASA Director Prisco Nilo, storm signal number 4 means winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour over a region. "Its possible that we will have to raise storm signal number 4 over Northern Luzon by Friday around 11 p.m.," Nilo told reporters Thursday. Full story on the Philippine Daily Inquirer . I hope the government is prepared for this one this time.

Check out this link to track Super Typhoon Parma (Pepeng)'s path to the Philippines. http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/products/tc_realtime/storm.asp?storm_identifier=WP192009

Here's a CNN weather report on Super Typhoon Parma (Pepeng). Forecasted to hit Metro Manila late Friday and Saturday. Winds 240km or greater.

Bagyong Pepeng is reported to hit Metro Manila this weekend. Please make necessary preparations. Here are some survival guides Prepare first aid kit Store some bottled water Prepare some canned goods or dry food Put some clean clothes in a resealable bag like underwear, shirt and pants Teach everyone in the household what to do in case of an emergency like where to meet and who to look out for (buddy system). Prepare an emergency bag/kit Things to put in an emergency kit Flashlight Batteries Portable radio Matches Candles (small) Water canister Spare cellphone (battery fully charged) Small towel T-shirt Small mirror Whistle Be safe!

PAGASA (11:30am): Typhoon Pepeng now a significant typhoon, slowly becoming a Super typhoon with wind speeds up to 175 kph with gustiness of about 210kph. Entering Northern Luzon by Sat morning. But expect heavy rainfall by tomorrow. Given the current status of some cities, only 1/4 of the Ondoy rain is needed to raise flood waters to dangerous levels. Prepare for flood just in case. Please repost. http://www.goes.noaa.gov/guam/guamloops/guamvs.html