Waiting for the goods to rot

Ben Contreras

DURING calamities or disasters, who wouldn’t want to help, donate or be with the victims to personally comfort them? The only question is, who benefitted from the aid? Certainly, not just the intended beneficiaries but also unscrupulous people who are entrusted with the goods.

Donors who have had bad experiences either stopped giving or gave directly to the victims. One such organization donated more than a billion to the Yolanda victims. In giving out new homes, they bought the materials, asked the intended beneficiaries to build their houses themselves, and get paid for their labor.

Until today, many are still wondering where some money went––money amounting to millions if not, billions. But nobody is talking because many are probably sharing the loot.

When DongkoyEmano was defeated by Oca Moreno, several dump trucks were allegedly seen carrying what looked like relief goods. Where they were taken, nobody is talking. Worse, the new administration did not investigate and may have no intention of finding out. I can only suspect that it’s part of the unwritten agreement among… never mind.

I remember a time when our small group was asked to help flood victims in Malasag because they have a food problem. We went there to inspect. They were given only instant noodles and sardines. The problem was, the canned sardines were already expired. That was already under the Moreno administration. Asa man to gikan?Where did the sardines come from?

I write this in view of a report that goods sent from a municipality in Misamis Oriental were seen somewhere in the city. Those were for the Sendong victims and that was a long time ago. Gipanagoanradiayparagamitonsapolitika? Were they kept for political purposes?

The next time you donate, give it directly to the victims. If possible, do not donate in cash. If goods can be diverted, cash can be pocketed!

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I love it when Binay starts talking against the administration. What the people do not know about the Aquino administration, Binay will provide. What people need to know more about Binay, the Aquino administration will provide. People can just sit by and watch them throw stones at each other. The same is going to happen in our city. The Liberal Party in the city is tainted, and neither is the Padayon Pilipino clean.

The “DaangMatuwid” is a mere slogan of the LP but the party does not bother to check its members who are holding positions in the government. Thus, the party suffers when their members are found wanting morally.

LP’s magic is gone. Dead! Kaput! Mar Roxas should have realized that a long time ago when many of their members were found in the list of those involved in the anomalous fund releases.

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There are government policies that need change. Government can use DENR’s confiscated logs for school tables and chairs than leave them to be destroyed by elements. The National Food Authority can give the smuggled rice to the poor through DSWD. Customs can distribute the seized ukay-ukay to the poor in the hinterlands who have no clothes or blankets to keep them warm. The problem is, they can’t just do it. There is a process to go through. Is it the process or mere red tape so that some people could make money? This is exactly the one thing that needs change.

Do not wait for the goods to rot!