Cartoon by: Nicole Sofia Emutan
Published by: Michelle Piquero
Date Published: November 22, 2024
Time Published: 2:30 PM
"One for all, all for one" is a saying Filipinos deeply believe in, leading them to foster a culture of "Bayanihan," which has been showcased as the Philippines has been experiencing extreme typhoons in recent days. While we take pride in our capacity to come together during crises, we must not settle for this alone. Our emphasis on self-reliance has sometimes led to the neglect of the responsibility of those in power. It's time to acknowledge this and demand action from our leaders, ensuring they fulfill their promises to support us in times of need.
Over the past few days, several storms, including Typhoon Kristine and Marce, have hit our country, causing great distress for Filipinos. [1] However, bayanihan has once again prevailed, with numerous non-government organizations (NGOs), such as AMDA Philippines, providing item distribution and medical relief activities for disaster-stricken communities in Bicol. [2]
Celebrities like Kyle Echarri and Heart Evangelista have also lent their support. [3] Many individuals have shared their kindness, from helping neighbors evacuate to distributing relief goods. These small gestures demonstrate that Filipinos are willing to help others, even with limited resources.
This outpouring of support has sparked genuine admiration among Filipinos, as every bit of help is needed and appreciated during calamities. Meanwhile, the government's response has been inadequate, despite having access to our tax money. [4] Although they have provided some financial assistance, it has been insufficient and poorly planned.
This highlights that it is us, the people, who truly support and understand each other, rather than the government, which is supposed to provide maximum help. In times of crisis, we only have each other, and as much as this represents good solidarity among Filipinos, it is still not enough. We lack the manpower and, mainly, the funds that the government holds through the people's tax money.
Let us continue to uplift each other, fostering a culture of bayanihan and compassion. However, we must not rely solely on each other; it is the government's job to help us in times of calamity. We should not glorify our self-reliance in times of need, for together, with the right initiative and government support, we can overcome challenges and forge a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.
REFERENCES:
[1] World Data. (n.d.). Typhoons in the Philippines. https://www.worlddata.info/asia/philippines/typhoons.php
[2] Relief Web. (n.d.). AMDA Emergency Relief for Typhoon Trami (Kristine). https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/amda-emergency-relief-2-typhoon-trami-kristine-philippines#:~:text=From%202%20to%203%20November,by%20typhoon%20Trami%20(Kristine)
[3] Manila Standard. (n.d.). Celebrities Lend a Hand to Victims of Typhoon Kristine. https://manilastandard.net/showbitz/celebrity-profiles/314515610/celebrities-lend-a-hand-to-victims-of-typhoon-kristine.html
[4] Philstar. (2024, November 5). Marcos Mourns Kristine Victims, Says Government Response Never Enough. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/11/05/2397704/marcos-mourns-kristine-victims-says-government-response-never-enough/amp/
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