Name: Steve R
City/State/Country: California
IP Address: 98.234.19.64

Comments

Kudos to President Aquino's visit with the victims of Sendong & his plan to prevent the repeat of such destructions & loss of life. Again, included in his plan must be a Presidential Order that requires each Barangays, town, cities & provinces to submit a detailed emergency evacuation plan in case of calamities (typhoons, earthquakes etc.). Detailed warning systems by PAGASA must be part of the Emergency Evacuation Plan. Depending on locations, evacuation practice drills must be done every 6 months or yearly. Written reports on outcomes of the evacuation drills must be submitted to the President. Like Pinaskongmahal, I also think that PNL posters can help PNoy in a very big way, with DOJ, DENR, DA, DAR, DSWD & DOTC.

Name: A. Poli
City/State/Country: Anywhere
IP Address: 24.72.104.202

Comments

Weather disaster that killed thousands in the south blamed on the "weather-weather lang yan" bureau. Only one doppler sensor, remember? No wonder so many deaths year after year. No lessons learned. When the weather is good, politicians play their game of vendetta against each other. Forgetting that they are supposed to be responsible for the safe keep of the whole country. :D

Name: JRH
City/State/Country: Montreal, Canada
IP Address: 70.80.56.162

Comments

How come it's the GMA Kapuso Foundation who's in frontlines distributing vital relief goods to the flood victims? How come & it appears that they are doing the bidding on behalf of our incompetent, callous, & inutile govt? What happened to the so called early warning system? Was it ever used? How about the response teams & the lack of properly supplied evacuation center with toilet facilities & first aid stations? Pres. Aquino said that there's nobody to blame on a natural disaster like this Sendong. Really. What is he trying to impress the suffering Filipinos.. No wonder majority of twitters around the world do not agree with him. Too late a hero, party boy.

Name: GFJBHEDF
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

Sendong flash flood worst hit CdO Mindanao is a lesson to all of Philippines' coastal and estero dwellers. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND ASAP.

Name: Edward
City/State/Country: Angeles City
IP Address: 98.160.174.84

Comments

Your president partying while more than a thousand died from this storm. That great! But he's no different than everyone last one of you. You people hate each other. The only help in the form of money and men and materials will come from the US and Japan. Next to nothing will come from Filipinos. It's just the way you people are.

Name: Edward
City/State/Country: Angeles City
IP Address: 98.160.174.84

Comments

These poor souls that lost their life in this storm, I would not be concerned about them because if they were good Catholics they now have every lasting life. But it still a shame that your government could not have made their lives a little bit nicer here on earth instead of stealing all the money. You Filipinos will all rot in hell!

Name: Edward
City/State/Country: Angeles City
IP Address: 98.160.174.84

Comments

All of the AID money given for the people suffering from this storm will go into the pockets of you thieves. Shame on every last one of you. CROOKS CROOKS CROOKS, that's what the PI has. WHORES too, lets not forget that.

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

The recent deaths from hurricane Sendong is indicative of the inability of the government to respond to natural disasters and to mitigate the harmful effects of corruption in the economy. If thousands people perish in floods, mudslides, etc. who needs a reproductive bill? Some stupid guys would say" hayan nagalit ang Dios kasi enim-impeach is Corona at di pinayagan si Gloria to travel."

Name: Naty
City/State/Country: Manila
IP Address: 61.18.186.135

Comments

Si PNOY dumating na sa CDO may dalang tulong na milyones, sana ito ay maitulong talaga sa mga nangangailangan at hindi mapapunta sa bulsa ng mga official. 2007 may warning na pala sila mula sa (MGB) pero hindi nakikinig ang mga official na ito, pinayagan nilang tumira ang maraming tao malapit sa ilog at bakit hindi nila napigil ang mga paputol ng maraming kahoy at small scale mining sa lugar. Kung hindi ako nagkamali sa palagay official lang ang nakinabang dito, at ngayong bumaha mga tao ang biktima at nahold-up na naman ang National govt. dahil sa sablay ng local govt. Nasaan ang mga (pork barrel) nila sa panahon ni Arroyo?. hindi ako nagtataka kung mga bahay ng official hindi binabaha dahil baka nauna pang gastosan ang sarili nila.

Name: Naty
City/State/Country: Manila
IP Address: 61.18.186.135

Comments

Mr. PNOY sana po matutukan nyo ang binigay ninyong tulong dahil pasko ngayon baka kung saan lang magastos. Alam na natin ang mga official sosyal kapag sumapit ang ganitong mga okasyon, kahit hindi nila pera ginagastos, ang mga sangkatotak na kabit kailangang gastosan din, at mga sugal nila, siguro ang kanilang pork barrel noon inubos lang sa saliri nila hindi naitulong sa tao.

Name: A. Poli
City/State/Country: Anywhere
IP Address: 24.72.104.202

Comments

Because of bad POLITICS, the government do not have time to fix pressing issues that can benefit the people. Disasters that are avoidable, preventable. Jobs that can be created for the unemployed. Improvement to infrastructure to reduce traffic and pollution. Health care that can benefit all. Modernize forestry management to reduce effects of flooding. Plane that crashed on crowded houses near the airport. Lots of good things can be done only if our politicians are not playing dirty politics. Does anyone wonder why many congressman are now willing to rubber stamp the president? That was same during the time of GMA, Erap, FVR, Cory, and all previous administrations. They tend to bootlick who ever is in power. They sway where the wind blows. Like the weather weather bureau. :-)

Name: GFJBHEDF
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

LET US PRAY, meditate, contemplate, give pause, each in our on way, for our dead, victims of mother nature. Let us also pray for our seemingly forever inept Gov't. For although Philippines, ANNUALLY, is visited by deadly typhoons, Gov't still has no APPARATUS installed to adequately address the problem, b4 and after they happen. Why? The salt porks are so fastidiously addressed. No shortages there. The layers of corruption greed is blabber thick,.. everywhere you look. Next year, typhoon/s will again cause death and destruction, and the government will still be inept/inadequate/bumbling, and incoherent.

Name: Manuel C. Diaz
City/State/Country: Montclair CA USA
IP Address: 76.174.219.92

Comments

After all the finger pointing regarding the Cagayan de Oro- Iligan city disaster I bet that the hazard area will again be rebuilt as if nothing happened. Just look at the Marikina fault hazard mapped by the Bureau of Mines and GeoScience and look at the high rise building going up along the fault line in Eastwood now there is another high rise building by SM along the fault scarp of the Marikina fault in Katipunan. The residence protested filed a case against the Quezon City Council or is it Clownsil. Mind you all these buildings are made of Concrete columns. Revisit Mexico City. If the Marikina fault moves expect thousands of casualties then the blame game starts in earnest. Viva Islas de Ladrones.

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

Unregulated logging and mining had always been the cause of environmental damage, loss of human lives and destruction of properties. When the ground is saturated with water, any structure that stands on it will eaily collapse. That applies to dams, buildings, roads and bridges to name a few. Logs that flow from mountains and cascading rain water to the lowlands are indicative of illegal logging. What Sendong did was no different from what other hurricanes or typhoons had done to the country. The government is simply helpless. There are simply too much on the country's plate.

Name: Phil Researcher
City/State/Country: L A County, Ca USA
IP Address: 98.119.17.19

Comments

RE: Headline 700 dead and still counting and hundreds still missing.. in your editorial.."illegal logging seems to have magnified the effects of typhoon Sendong"...Who will you blame for illegal logging...The officials who run the province.. You have the Governor.. vice Gov.. Provincial Board members.... Provincial Commander , PNP Mayor , Vice maoyr.. Illegal logging cannot happen without the above-mentioned government officials "cooperation" with the illegal loggers.. The suffering of the surviving relatives..food, shelter clothing...

Name: JRH
City/State/Country: Montreal, Canada
IP Address: 70.80.56.162

Comments

The devastating death toll from the cyclone disaster "Sendong" has now jumped above 1,000 plus. More bloated bodies are now floating to the surface cuz of advanced decomposition. Most of these poor victims lived on sandbars under weak foundation & shoreline shanties that did not protect them. God forbid, our gov't must take precautionary steps to prevent the outbreak of cholera, dysentery, dengue, respiratory problems. Most of the evacuees are huddled in congested evacuation centers. There's also a possible epidemic of water-borne diseases. Christmas will be very grim indeed for these Filipinos. So, what has the gov't done? Studies & more studies. Come on, time to wake up.

Name: LATEPOCA
City/State/Country: SOMEWHERE IN TIME
IP Address: 121.1.30.222

Comments

Filipinos will always have to suffer the nature revenge because we, Filipinos will not STOP degrading our environment. Environmental LAWS are for the POOR ONLY, look rampant of illegal LOGGING by the RICH and FAMOUS still in operations all over the country with the backing of high and mighty in GOVERNMENT. So PINOY be always prepared for the rampaging of nature.

Name: CDO Citizen
City/State/Country: City of Sydney
IP Address: 203.1.16.10

Comments

No one knows how destructive a typhoon is until it hit the area but Sendong was already detected three days beforehand and it was slowly building up strong force a likely to create potential havoc and that’s why PAGASA allegedly has issued a warning telling the people to evacuate but is was not good enough excuse for the government. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council who is responsible for ensuring the protection and welfare of the people did not roll out an evacuation plan to reduce potential casualties but instead washes hands and blame those underprivileged for not evacuating.

Name: Dagohoy San
City/State/Country: Kuwait
IP Address: 193.188.60.123

Comments

Hindi unprepared! ang Pinas.. ang walang habas n pagsira ng kalikasan ang dahilan.. kahit n anung prepare mo hindi kayang harangin ang rumaragasang mga troso.. KAWAWA NA NAMAN ANG MGA MAHIRAP NATING KABABAYAN.. kailan nwlan ng kontrol ang Malakanyang s palakad ng ARMM? nakinabang din sila diyan.. kanya kanya n namang hugas kamay ang gobyerno.. buti nalang hindi s Global Warming ibinintang ang baha at palulusutin n nman ang mga Logging at Mining Company. NAKIKIRAMAY AKO S MGA KABABAYAN. GOD BLESS

Name: Manuel C. Diaz
City/State/Country: Montnclair CA USA
IP Address: 76.174.219.92

Comments

To LPiF I am not talking from any ivory tower here in the USA I am talking from the trenches in the Philippines. I have projects in Islas de ladrones that was swamped by the fertilizer scandal of Bolante, I have projects that is now five years in the Islas de ladrones Supreme Court. What have you done to the Islas de ladrones lip service? I am talking from first hand experiences. BTW the daang Matuwid of President Caligula/Nero will be paved with dead bodies look at the disaster in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. No money for advance flood forecasting but plenty of money for PORK. No money for doppler radar but plenty of money to refurbish "Ang Pangulo presidential yacht.

Name: Marie
City/State/Country: Batangas
IP Address: 194.24.158.3

Comments

Kalabog: "when will be the padasal and novenas in church for victims?" maybe they're still waiting for you. You sounded like insulting my God. What happened was natural catastrophe. But by it people can prove to God how generous they can be. Have you donated?

Name: CSR
City/State/Country: SAN DIEGO, CA
IP Address: 159.71.254.248

Comments

I hope this is a lesson to Pinoy and staff for being so occupied with GMA and Justice Corona. And look what happened, lots and lots of people are suffering due to the mother nature. That's a call from God almighty for not paying attention to the poor people. Pinoy should focus more on his responsibilities instead of attacking Chief justice Corona and former Pres. Arroyo. Past is past. You can't change it anymore. No matter who is in the public office, there's always corruption in the gov't.

Name: Kalabog
City/State/Country: Libog Daraga, Albay
IP Address: 64.40.183.70

Comments

To Marie--nakita mo ba ang mga video ng mga biktima ni Sendong? Mga inang tulala nakaupo sa putikan akap akap ang bangkay ng kayang anak, ama na hinubad ang kanyag t-shirt para balutin ang putikan bangkay ng kanyang SANGGOL(!), batang babae na nakatayong basang basa ang baro- nanginginig sa ginaw; mga babaeng bata,matanda- nakapila upang maka tanggap ng pinamumudmud na pagkain--- ANO ANG MGA NAGAWANG KASALANAN ng mga ito upang parusahang sila ng ganito? Merry Christmas Marie!

Name: Naty
City/State/Country: Manila
IP Address: 61.18.186.135

Comments

Malas talaga ang Pilipinas, kasi sa tuwing may bagong Presidente biglang may mga problema. Bago at luma kailangang harapin, Si PNOY mula umpisa hangang ngayon dumarami ang hinaharap. Hostage taking, Arroyo, Corona, Palparan, NBI extortion. Si Arroyo hangang ngayon linalaro lang tayo sa sakit nya, si Lacson simisipsip lang kay Noy at tila marami na syang kaso na parang na bali wala lang. Si Corona pinagtatanggol ng mga supporter nya na tila mabaliwala lang din ito. Palparan and NBI extortion siguradong dadaan na lang ang 2016 hindi makulong ang mga yan kahit makasuhan pa siguradong ligtas sila dahil sa bagal ng hustisya at si PNOY bumabagal din. Si Palparan matagal na yan pero hangang ngayon HDO lang.

Name: Manuel C. Diaz
City/State/Country: Montnclair CA USA
IP Address: 76.174.219.92

Comments

To LPiF our generation like Moses will never see the promised land. Daang matiwid will be paved with dead bodies while President Caligula/Nero is partying. Viva Islas de Ladrones

Name: The Chief
City/State/Country: Chula Vista, CA, USA
IP Address: 98.176.116.64

Comments

Para sa kapwa ko Pilipino. It is not the exact words of the late President Kennedy "Ask not what the government can do for; ask yourself what you can do for the government. We, you and me must take responsibilities for the actions we make. Whether you have a family or living alone, sobra sobra na ang problema nang gobyerno. Tama na. Pro and Con, stop crying foul and stop blaming the President and the government when natural disaster strikes. There is no way to stop it, period. Magtiyaga, magsumikap para sa ikauunlad nang buhay.

Name: LPiF
City/State/Country: LosAngeles/Mla
IP Address: 121.1.11.38

Comments

Our inability to educate and discipline our society to comply with simple building and safety codes/ordinances is unacceptable. It is the job of every city officials to institute these laws to avoid unnecessary loss of life and property damage. Take for instance the city of Manila's negligence in allowing squatters to build their shanties along Pasig river. Who is going to pay for the lives lost in times of disaster? It's high time our government start implementing strict zoning and building codes if we expect our society to overcome calamities of this magnitude! Tsk tsk tsk...

Name: Vanessa Lee
City/State/Country: Kuwait
IP Address: 62.215.228.249

Comments

There’s always a replacement for the loss of properties / belongings but not when someone loses a family member in this kind of calamity. Lot of thanks for the outpouring donations intended to the victims. But on the other side of the coin what is the use of all this to somebody who lost his wife / husband and child / children and parents? There is no amount of happiness and peacefulness it will take many years for them to move on, to adjust and accept the life of being left. They will carry as long as they live the memory of the difficulty suffered by their departed loved ones. The trauma embossed within.

Name: you still have the nerve
City/State/Country: PH
IP Address: 96.49.79.48

Comments

Just read that Little Girl is donating her salary to Sendong Victims. Why not give all what you took including your family, maybe the people of the entire PH including abroad will be very happy. Baka mapatawad ka pa. Notche Buena Hamon pa sa kulongan mo habang maga nasa bilibid di man makatikim kahit sa piraso. Lalo na iyong maga Politikal Prisoners na maga taong ipinagbibilango mo. They should be free now before the end of this new year para makasama nila na pamilya nila. Too much privilege with all your family na makakasama mo itong pasko. Kung makalusot sa akin hindi tandaan mo ito.

Name: Aiota Capli
City/State/Country: Inland Empire
IP Address: 98.112.207.138

Comments

During my recent visits in the PHL I was told time and again that the local governments have budgets for their constituents. But each time a major calamity happens the national govt. is the first target for blame for inaction or late or immediate relief response. It is high time the local governments start maintaining a real disaster and relief preparation programs to serve as the first responders. How could you not? Doesn't 20 typhoons a year provide a hint that one of these could be a big ONE? Puro walang disiplina mga tao be they from the government or the illegal dwellers. After this, what's next? Same story again only with different players? Sad!

Name: Steve R
City/State/Country: California
IP Address: 98.234.19.64

Comments

The core values of Filipinos, in my view- more so for PNL posters as evidence by how we express our comments in issues presented to us, whether we are pro or con on a given issue, the resiliency & vigor remains with us in spending time to do research & defend our position on issues. That alone gives us the edge that we really care for Pinas. So my pitch is over, & what is the AD all about? Due to the extent of devastation & loss of life in Iligan & Cagayan de Oro, I ask that PNL will print a Physical address where we could send our letters of concern or what--ever.. & still maintain the privacy of who is Steve R etc. LTRs are voluntary! The idea is to express our concern or help as organized posters in PNL not as individuals. Effectiveness of a united group is greater.

Name: Steve R
City/State/Country: California
IP Address: 98.234.19.64

Comments

To explain my AD re physical address of PNL is to give our trust to PNL that whatever we do, help or express our concern, we should channel it through PNL who will send it to the most appropriate recipient of our concern & hope that PNL will inform posters of how it was done, who received our group's concern/help & other feedback from any govt. official. My hope is for posters to sponsor a project that will last for decades or century. If we can fund the planting of 10, 20 or 50 trees in one specific agreed upon location, & ask that PNL will guide us.

We'll be more than happy to assist you with this endeavor. Let us know how we can help. Email us at info@philnews.com with the words "Group Project" as the subject.

Name: Vanessa Lee
City/State/Country: Kuwait
IP Address: 62.215.228.249

Comments

People should be ready whenever there is a storm signal specifically if their places are among to be hit by the typhoon. They should not consider their properties / belongings as more priority rather than to save one's life. They have to be vigilant, do the utmost measure to combat the danger of facing the catastrophe, never to rely to the idea that their places are safe and seldom experience such calamity. More importantly, the government should not permit cutting the trees as this contributes to increase the flow of water.

Name: Steve R
City/State/Country: California
IP Address: 98.234.19.64

Comments

Kalabog, I'm fairly sure that most posters caught on your wrong choice of words "Anong nagawang kasalanan ng mga ito upang parusahan sila ng ganito." You accused Marie of not being 'touched' by the pictures your described. The pictures were news & all were touched. Marie will likely respond accordingly but to be clear with you, Marie don't deserve your poorly worded accusation. 'To err is human' but your words were over the line or 'below the belt'!!!!!

Name: Vanessa Lee
City/State/Country: Kuwait
IP Address: 62.215.228.249

Comments

GMA and the Minority Group will donate their salaries to the affected families in Mindanao due to typhoon Sendong. This is a very good gesture from them. Also, I salute Judge Mupas for rejecting a gift from Topacio’s office. I wish there are more judges like him who are not swayed by the enormity of material thing.

Name: MARNY V
City/State/Country: loose lip, tight lip
IP Address: 76.117.48.33

Comments

Sendong is what I'm saying all along & still you don't get it ha? I repeat, PNL is only good for senior citizen entertainment. Issues after issues don't produce results, only chit-chat! When it comes to disaster like Sendong we're all loose lipped about what do the gov't should do, blaming games again & again but tight lipped when it comes to helping (of course not all probably 99%?) our kababayans. Just do what you can to help & refrain from being an as*hole for once! Oh, I'm zooming my donation via online, the fastest way. If pinaskongmahal you could change our me-think, me- me -me system, then we could do more !

Name: JRH
City/State/Country: Montreal, Canada
IP Address: 70.80.56.162

Comments

What about a simple but practical solution? Why not provide the coastal towns with sirens? It can be heard & can give adequate warning to the people whether it's daylight or night time. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to come up with simple devices to help our poor kababayans in time of calamity. Likewise, bullhorns or loud speakers on each barangay. Wang-wang can also be effective in this case. Let's face it, all the designated agencies & assigned first responders were all caught with their pants down. It's tsunami-like in scope in areas affected had no bloody chance. Also, one of the major problems: illegal logging. Our laws or the total log ban is a joke, useless, & ineffective. Nobody can stop it. The question is why & how come?

Name: tonyO
City/State/Country: pinas
IP Address: 114.108.243.107

Comments

TV News reports showed Penoy personally distributed and handed relief goods to the victims of typhoon Sendong. It’s a heartrending event. BTW, wala bang tiga distribute ng relief goods? Bakit si Penoy mismo ang kailangang gumawa nito. He’s the leader. A leader leads and commands. He should find out why these vast destruction was caused by ILLEGALLY CUT LOGS na kasama ng malakas na agos ng baha na sumagasa sa mga bahay at tao. Pagkalalaking mga troso. Bakit ang dami nito? What happened to Penoy’s log ban. Who are these illegal loggers? Also, why are there illegal settlers along the river? They were mostly the casualties; etc. This is the job of a good and efficient leader.

Name: Edward
City/State/Country: Angeles City
IP Address: 98.160.174.84

Comments

Dead bodies thrown in a city trash dump. You jerks don't know how to throw trash in the dump but you learned in a minute how to throw human bodies in one. Filipinos, listen fools, these bodies will cause the black death. Rats, flies and Filipinos. What is it with you people. I will tell you, these people that died were poor and were like dogs to you Filipinos with money so they could just be thrown like trash. Not even respect for the dead, SHAME.

Name: Josh
City/State/Country: Cebu
IP Address: 24.253.66.68

Comments

Unless the government declares an all out war against illegal loggers, this event will happen again. If local officials are inutile to stop illegal logging, the military should step in. Congress should start drafting laws making it a capital crime to commit illegal logging, the conspiracy to commit it and to protect those who commit it. The continuation of illegal logging despite the President's total ban is unacceptable.

Name: mockingmaya
City/State/Country: taft avenue, manila
IP Address: 67.182.75.243

Comments

Speaking from our experiences in Ondong, Sendong & other unforeseen calamities, PNL editorial got it right: we need to come up with modern solutions to meeting safety needs. Picture speaks louder than voice, if you'll re-visit the helpless victims of flood, fire, volcanic eruption & earth quake. PNL clearly stated & well-documented discourse is an invitation to the looming public policy debate over urban politics: the proper construction of roads, sewage, highways, building structures coupled with urban population increase & constantly evolving demand for effective emergency system.

Name: bonet
City/State/Country: KSA
IP Address: 166.87.158.77

Comments

Illegal logging is not present around CDO anymore, as it was logged out 50 years ago like most of Luzon has been logged out. Most of the logs in Iligan photos were legally logged from Surigao and were stocked piled at an Illigan lumber mill when the flood hit and moved them to the beach for a quick photo opportunity and the President to say "Illegal logs" are to blame. Sadly about 10 minutes of questions would have provided PNOY with the right answers....but those questions to the locals were never asked.

Name: Cupid
City/State/Country: Loveland
IP Address: 166.137.136.170

Comments

It is sad to see the unnecessary loss of lives and damage to properties. This is not the first time we have seen the loss of lives . In 1991, some 5000 people perished in Ormoc City; Ondoy too in recent memory. Flash floods from denuded mountains because of mining and logging activities are causing massive and destructive effects on lives, properties, and the country's economy.

Name: marvin aguilar
City/State/Country: jeddah ksa
IP Address: 213.230.31.242

Comments

Mga kababayan natin na nasalanta ng bagyong Sendong nakikiramay po kami sa inyo ... eto na po sana ang lesson para tayoy magkaisa na pangalagaan ang ating kalikasan ( kagubatan) God bless ,,,

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

There is a lot finger pointing in the massive loss of lives in Cagayan de Oro. Come to think of it, Pilipinos have learned nothing from previous natural disasters like floods, surging sea waves, mudslides, landslides volcanoes, etc. People continue to live along the river banks, build houses at sea level and in the foot of the mountains where unregulated logging and mining activities are going on, and local people ignoring science and government warnings. Global warming is real and more typhoons are to be expected but the level of human preparedness is still centuries old. The tragedy with Sendong could have been avoided just like Ondoy. In 1991 some 5000 people perished in the Ormoc City flood.

Name: GFJBHEDF
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

If year after year you get smack up side the head, by the same force of nature, you'd think you'd eventually install/device/come up with an adequate/effective measure to fend off/prevent/deflect/minimize the blows. Yet, the annual harmful blows clobbers you regularly year after year, causing death and destruction, and then you can't even address adequately/timely/effectively/efficiently the rescue/alleviation of damages/resettlement, and the minuscule aid provided, like the handing of a small bag of grocery to a down trodden survivor is a disgusting displayed/portrayed front page political P'Noy ad.

Name: Kalabog
City/State/Country: Daraga, Albay
IP Address: 64.40.183.70

Comments

So that the people know - "To make matters worse, Aquino vetoed budget items related to disaster preparedness in the 2010 budget, ordering funding for post-disaster response activities instead." Manila Standard Today Dec 22/2011 by J. Robles. What kind of thinking process does Wangwang possess? The Emperor has no clothes!

Name: Edward
City/State/Country: Angeles City
IP Address: 98.160.174.84

Comments

What happened here is going to continue to happen until the end of time. The money that local governments get to help with these things are pocketed by politicians. CROOKS AND PLUNDER AND INVESTIGATIONS. What a joke. Why even complain about this.

Name: GFJBHEDF
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

The UN aid to CDO is ever more mounting. By the time all is said and done, The Philippine Gov't aid will be minuscule, compared to UN CDO aid. Is it P'Noy's fault? Partly, because he is the president in charge, 1 1/2 Yrs running. It behooves him/his administration to see to it that Philippines is better/adequately/timely prepared for next year, and city/provincial codes upgraded to better deal with the endemic uninvited devastating annual visits of Mr/Mrs Typhoon.

Name: Manuel C. Diaz
City/State/Country: Montnclair CA USA
IP Address: 76.174.219.92

Comments

Top Aiota Capli you expect the local government to mobilize during disaster? How can the local government mobilize during disaster when the local government is a disaster in itself! Local government is only good at raising real estate taxes, extorting money from businesses, running jueting and of course giving permit to Sunday sabong (cockfight). Other than these activities the local government is 100% inutile.

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

LPiF when you wrote "Our inability to educate and discipline our society to comply with simple building and safety codes/ordinances is unacceptable." I thought for a while that education is not the issue. It is all about enforcement. Moreover, zoning is virtually absent. Anyone could construct a house even in the crater of a volcano (hyperbole, adre) and no government agency would interfere.

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

JRH suggested "What about a simple but practical solution? Why not provide the coastal towns with sirens." The flooding did not come to the shores like a tsunami. The flash flood came from waters rushing down from the mountains into the lowland carrying illegally cut log / timber. How to set up an early warning system for this type of a disaster is hard to put in place.

Name: deo
City/State/Country: flour city
IP Address: 74.65.3.64

Comments

As reported earlier, the people of specially hit Cagayan de Oro City did not disregard the warning about Sendong. It is just that, the island of Mindanao is not hit often by typhoons, as reported also earlier, so they were not so concern as would be the people of, say, Cebu or even Metro Manila. This is specially true of Southern Mindanao, particularly the City and Provinces of Davao. Being Davao grown, all I experienced were Habagats. Apparently climate change also changed all that.

Name: bon basije
City/State/Country: Jacksonville, FL
IP Address: 98.82.4.231

Comments

Naty said: Ganito tayo noon, ganito tayo ngayon, at ganito pa rin tayo bukas. This is one of the most thought-provoking admonitions I've ever read here. What a gem!

Name: GFJBHEDF
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

It's your money. Spend it when you want to. However you want to. But when you are a leader of sort, an officer and a gentleman, a congressman, you have responsibility to your constituents, governed by political etiquette protocol, to be circumspect, specially if you are vying to be Philippine president someday. Buying a yacht, while over a thousand perished, and Cagayan de Oro is devastated, shows insensitivity and callousness, unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and a future national leader. Too late to do anything about the broken now. This will be recalled, and its application projected, when and if Manny Pacquiao runs for national office. It's a given. Deo, it's a sanamagan sana.., save it.

Name: Todo
City/State/Country: Lanao del Norte
IP Address: 222.127.10.162

Comments

In our place, cutting of trees is prevalent because barrio folks would convert them into charcoal. A destitute man looking a standing tree would imagine that such a tree, if felled, would provide his family with rice and "bulad" or "ginamos" for a week. Here, there is a continuing struggle for survival and environmental protection, and the consequence may be as tragic as "Sendong."

Name: Todo
City/State/Country: Lanao del Norte
IP Address: 222.127.10.162

Comments

In our place, cutting of trees is prevalent because barrio folks would convert them into charcoal. A destitute man looking a standing tree would imagine that such a tree, if felled, would provide his family with rice and "bulad" or "ginamos" for a week. Here, there is a continuing struggle for survival and environmental protection, and the consequence may be as tragic as "Sendong."

Name: JRH
City/State/Country: Montreal, Canada
IP Address: 70.80.56.162

Comments

We must realize how bad this critical situation in the devastated areas is going to be for these poor people in the coming weeks & months. A lot of lessons have been learned from this catastrophe. It's clear that more sophisticated warning systems & year-round preparedness will make a big difference. This December typhoon Sendong caused the inundation of the Cagayan de Oro & Iligan city breaking records for extremely high water levels. It affected the general population, farmers, & businesses (billions lost). It will take years to recover from this. Let's hope & pray that they be spared from further calamities in the future. What a hell of a Christmas to spend. God bless our country.

Name: Todo
City/State/Country: Lanao del Norte
IP Address: 222.127.10.162

Comments

Illegal logging has proliferated in the past decades bringing in millions to politicians who spearheaded or protected those engaged in it. But illegal logging alone would not bring such a magnitude of flooding as we seen in "Sendong". Kaingin activities caused the balding of Mindanao's mountains. Look at Bukidnon which used to have the largest forest cover in Mindanao two decades ago but now has its mountains denuded. Disasters of "Sendong's" fury would not be farfetched unless the DENR would perform its job description.

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

Illegal logging occurs under the very noses of local public officials, police, and other enforcement government agencies. These loggers are not moving small objects but huge logs and big hauling trucks. There is no need for more laws but strict enforcement and hefty fines or sanctions. Zoning policies need to be adopted so that people are made to build homes away from river banks, volcanoes, railroad tracks, etc. but not disturbing the abilities of people to earn an honest wage or participate in economic activities.

Name: A. Poli
City/State/Country: Anywhere
IP Address: 184.148.77.193

Comments

Politicians are busy with personal task they loose focus. Attention to environment is nil. This disaster has caught the government by surprise. Again.

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

We should not be whining if not enough donations are coming in from the UN and other countries. We have to bear in mind that prosperous countries are also experiencing cash problems. What Pilipinos should learn is to listen to warnings, experience and science. They can't outwit or defy nature. The country has to take care of itself and the government has to conserve resources to meet nature's wrath. Global warming is here to stay bringing typhoons of much higher intensity.

Name: ricardo
City/State/Country: philipines
IP Address: 123.3.241.129

Comments

The officials who failed to warn the people should be sacked and replaced.

Name: Manuel C. Diaz
City/State/Country: Montclair CA USA
IP Address: 76.174.219.92

Comments

To Cupid what mining are you talking there is no mining in Cagayan de Oro. Kaigin and illegal logging are rampant in Cagayan de Oro. Before you blame mining as the cause of the flood you better have your facts or you are talking nonsense. BTW if you allow people to live along banks of rivers creeks drainage canals squatting on public lands you are bound to have this kind of disaster. Blame the Emano political dynasty of Cagayan de Oro not mining.

Name: KALI
City/State/Country: HAWAII
IP Address: 72.130.247.17

Comments

PNoy is doing the blame game after typhoon Sendong devastated Mindanao. He is not accepting blame in any manner, but witch-hunting to see who is to blame and most likely the poor government employee at the bottom of his administration chain, not his cabinet member as usual. Unfortunately, PNoy forgot that THE BUCK STOPS WITH HIM. In fact this is strike two for him already. First, typhoon Ondoy. Second is Sendong, and most likely third strike for him will happen next year. If only PNoy has the "balls" like Atty Topacio and impose his authority to get what he wants done, the devastation could have been lessen. But he don’t have the guts to tell his people “I want this done tomorrow ASAP or your head is mine”. If PNoy strikes out, maybe people will have enough of him. It’s his call!

Name: Edward
City/State/Country: Angeles City
IP Address: 98.160.174.84

Comments

To: Marie. A question dear, was this storm and the death that it brought a punishment from God or was it caused by your dishonest politicians who stole the monies to improve the life of the poor.

Name: Tess
City/State/Country: Michigan USA
IP Address: 72.37.171.180

Comments

Ningas Kugon lang yan Filipinos never learned. Government officials only know the the right things to do during calamities but after calamities Pinoys are okay again as if nothing happened. Instead of lesson to learn and correct all the factors that contribute on these matter sad to say nothing to be done. It's just a cycle. Unfortunately adding a factor that we have a sitting and brainless president .

Name: Sa Tutuo lang Naman
City/State/Country: Sa Tutuo pa rin
IP Address: 96.49.79.48

Comments

Itong Illigal na pagpuputol nang kahoy, matagal na ito. noon pa. Kasangkot maga Military din dahil kung talagan mahinto ito unang mag gagawa nito mismong maga mata taas na General at Colonel. Mismo nga sa loob nang Camp Crame maraming maga nakuhang maga troso at ang tanong ko bakit nasa kampo. Di ba dapat surrender ito sa DENR. Well DENR din kasangkot kanya kanya lang syndikato. Kung ang maga General at maga nasa itaas nang DENR gumagawa, eh bakit hindi din sundalo at maga nasa ibaba nag DENR gagawa din Just follow the leader ika nga. He he he he

Name: GFJBHEDF
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

3000 and counting, is the anticipated number of death media is floating. As of now, is the 2nd deadliest since the 1990 Baguio city earthquake casualties. Cagayan de Oro relief. With an aerial survey we have a better grasp on the magnitude of Sendong's devastation of Cagayan de Oro. Aerial revelation shows that much of Cagayan the Oro, though still inundated, is intact/repairable. Seems the victims were in the lowest areas.

Name: GFJBHEDF
City/State/Country: Hercules
IP Address: 67.188.19.40

Comments

No need for words. The video tells it all. For now I just sit here and weep. I'll find a way to help. I'll call the red cross and find out how I can send my token of aid so it will not be stolen before it reaches the victims of Sendong.

Name: Sa Tutuo Lang
City/State/Country: Sa Tutuo lang Ulit
IP Address: 96.49.79.48

Comments

Very happy to hear the news that its the Sisters of PNOY who are on top helping in the distribution of most of the relief good coming from abroad including Ms. Soliman. Kaya Sen. Dadal M. Defensor di kailangan ni Ms. Soliman ang approval mo. I am sure PNoy's sisters will protect. They have learned from the passed on what happened to their mother the late Pres. Cory Aquino. Itong sumira kay Cory, mag asawang Peping at Tigting at alam lahat nang maga Tarlakenyo at alam ko rin dahil matagal ako sa Tarlac almost 10 years. Though Kris may problema sa love life niya, does not say she is not a good person. She is a very outspoken kaya siguro di nila maabot ang kaisipan niya nitong maga nakarelation niya. Mahihina maga kokote kasi. Basketball at Artista he he he he. Sa Tutuo lang kasi.

Name: Sa Tutuo Lang Naman
City/State/Country: Sa Tutuo Uli
IP Address: 96.49.79.48

Comments

What is Defense Sec. Gazmin doing now with the Flood in Mindanao and Negros Oriental. Do not always rely on PNOY, Soliman, the Local Government Units. Don'y you ever know that in USA at Katrina, The National Defense is the very first one to move with combine forces of its Military to make sure that all relief goods as well as water supplies are brought to the areas right away. Iyan kasi ang problema sa atin. Maga general na dahil nagsilbe sa nanay ni PNOY sila na ang inilalagay nila. Maga sipsip na parang maga linta ano say mo gayon. ha ha ha ha. So ano di ba sa tutuo lang naman. Kilangan action agad. Spratly problema, eh kung ito do mo magawa, sa China pa kaya . Lampaso ka pare ko. hehehehe.

Name: KALI
City/State/Country: HAWAII
IP Address: 72.130.247.17

Comments

DEO: Edward says, "what happened here is going to continue to happen until the end of time. The money that local governments get to help with these things are pocketed by politicians. CROOKS AND PLUNDER AND INVESTIGATIONS". This, I totally agree with Edward. I can attest that in Iloilo, in every mile of supposed to be concrete road, several sections of that is gravel or dirt filled, but reported completed as cemented. The sad part is after a year or two the concrete start crumbling due to insufficient amount of cement in the mixture. As the concrete road start to have pot holes, workers fill them with dirt. One time, I stop to ask the workers why they are using dirt, well; you know the rest of the story, MONEY POCKETED by crook politicians or their buddies.

Name: Manuel C. Diaz
City/State/Country: Montclair CA USA
IP Address: 76.174.219.92

Comments

This Sendong Cagayan de Oro/ Iligan tragedy an month from now will all be forgotten. the Geo-hazard area will start to rebuild politicians will encourage these squatters to rebuild because these squatters are the swing votes then comes next election these idiots morons and fools will re-elect these ladrones politicians in office back to square one again. Viva Islas de ladrones. Just look at the Undoy tragedy the creeks, esteros river backs are again teeming with squatters.

Name: Todo
City/State/Country: Lanao del Norte
IP Address: 222.127.10.162

Comments

PD 1096 punishes any person who constructs a house without first securing a business permit, which permit can only be secured if the lot to which the house be erected is privately-owned. In the path of floods in CDO and Iligan used to stand several houses constructed without permits. The reasons why many were unidentified or unaccounted.

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

Let us not kid ourselves folks. It is flash floods, not typhoons that kill. We have seen that with Ondoy and now Sendong. IT IS FLASH FLOOD STUPID!

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

The government with their engineers in typhoon sensitive areas should start thinking of a storm draining and flood control master plan. This country could not rely on cash donations and relief goods every time a typhoon hits the country. Without being technical, it is about controlling, containing and disposing huge amount of storm water. Those squatters along the river banks are distractions and not the main issue. The government must assign priorities in dealing with human disasters and epidemic outbreaks brought largely by flash floods.

Name: Iligan City/Lanao del Norte Ass'n So.Cal
City/State/Country: Carson Ca
IP Address: 76.171.40.63

Comments

At this point of time,Your old clothing /Donation is Needed, We the Iliganon in U.S. strongly suggest to send your stuff direct to Darwin Manubag The Alumni President and In-charge of the Mindanao State University/Iligan Institute of Tech (MSU_IIT) Gymnasium, evacuation Center who house more than 1000 evacuees. This is the place of intellectuals, Teachers and scholars student VOLUNTEERS running this Sendong victims, Our Ass'n just sent $2,000.00 it to them and is well organized and managed honestly. Thank you.

Name: Cupid
City/State/Country: Loveland
IP Address: 166.137.138.165

Comments

The government must protect it's citizens from storm floods. There is no plan but emergency and relief operations. The government is providing band aid remedies but not real solutions. Much of the disasters recorded in the country are made. We allow deforestation, grant mining permits without pre-conditions, and encourage other economic activities to flourish without regulatory component in place. We are hurting the environment and killing our people. But for what? Some nickels and dimes and not even a dollar?

Name: 1 UP
City/State/Country: GOTHAM CITY
IP Address: 74.101.61.3

Comments

If someone says that Cagayan de Oro is free of mining activities, he needs his head examined. Wherever you go in the Philippines there is logging and mining. These industries have not been regulated and supervised. They have wrought havoc to the community where these industries exist and operate. While it is true these companies provide employment and they pay taxes to the government, they extract a heavy toll on the environment. At the end, they have taken more than what they have given.

Name: Phil Researcher
City/State/Country: LA County, Ca USA
IP Address: 98.119.17.19

Comments

RE: The Reality of Illegal Logging .. I like the comment of Todo from Lanao Del Norte.. , who knows the exact situation in those areas..But logging has been banned for decades now but if the enforcers of the law are the ones violating the ban.. then expect these floods to kills more Filipinos in the Future.. Every year over 20 typhoons pass the Ph and the Unusual rainfall which was described as as 30 day rain being poured in about 12 hrs.. People will continue to die in these disasters.. As I stated earlier I guess that's God's way of controlling population..Very sad. At any Rate Merry Christmas to all posters here we come back after the holidays.

Name: pinaskongmahal`
City/State/Country: usa
IP Address: 70.243.123.23

Comments

Wangwang if you don't know what's going on about this massive deforestation occurring at every province, you're ignorant about kaingeros operandi. Your BIR, DENR, BF, etc, these gov't agencies are inutile. They're not helping you out. Because of joblessness, kaingeros are on the rampage to cut trees all over the mountains and turn them into charcoal to be exported to Korea, Japan, and others for industrial use. There's big demand. How come you don't know? Solution, order BIR to stop its importation or else fire them.

Name: qoaj ndu
City/State/Country: canada
IP Address: 94.99.70.187

Comments

President Aquino is responsible for the loss of lives of thousands of Filipino people in Mindanao and Negros Oriental. Due to his incompetence and laziness.