In reference to the story, "Couple trying to
make a difference in typhoon-tattered Philippines," on 5/2/14, I think
that's commendable of the Verzosa couple,Therese and Jude.
This typhoon, named Haiyan, was indeed a
terrifying storm that left mayhem and destruction and death to thousands
of people. It left on its wake millions of people helpless and
homeless and thousands of children, disease-ridden.
And it has put the Philippines on the map
because of this never-before-seen destruction in any country, much worse
than that Hurricane Katrina when it slammed New Orleans, Louisiana, in
August of 2005, or perhaps even worse than the tsunami that slammed
Japan in March 2011.
Mother Nature can be so mean and spiteful.
And it's a pity that the Philippine government
did not make any preparations for the coming storm despite repeated
warnings several days before it landed on that part of the country.
According to CNN's Anderson Cooper, when he
arrived in Tacloban Cirty (the city that took the brunt of the
typhoon), five days after the typhoon had left, he reported that he
didn't see "any signs of presence" at all of the President Aquino
government rendering help to the victims.
Trumping the pathetic response of the Aquino government, nations across the region moved in quickly to help.
The United States for International Development
gave $20 million in immediate aid. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel
immediately dispatched the aircraft carrier, USS George Washington,
with 5,000 sailors and more than 80 aircrafts, and a battalion of U.S.
Marines, to help in the rescue and to bring in relief goods, medicines,
food and clean water.
Support and aid also flowed in from more than 20
countries. The United Nations released $25 million in immediate aid.
Donations from charity organizations, churches and private individuals
also flowed in ... and continue to flow in. Even the NBA team Miami
Heat generously donated millions of dollars in aid.
But where is that money now?
Did the money go to the victims? Or, did it go
into the pockets of crooks and thieves of the President Aquino
government? It seems like it. Because nothing much had been
achieved in helping the victims. Many are still homeless and the
destruction are still prevalent.
And from what I heard and understand, the canned
foods and relief goods meant for the victims have ended up being sold
in flea markets, known as "ukay-ukay" stores in the Philippines.
These kind of things usually happen whenever
calamities befell this native country of mine. The rich politicians
become richer and the calamity victims remain victims, homeless and
hungry. So sad.
Jesse Jose
Auburn, WA.
That's the entire content of my letter, Dear
Readers. It needed to be said and my question -- where's the money?
-- had to be asked, and I want to share it with you all. JJ.
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