Relief Goods (for Typhoon Ketsana Victims)... Where are They?

This post is originally from Ella's Blog...

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(This post was last edited Oct 22, 12:30 pm)

Kahapon, tinanong ng Philippine News si DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral:

Editor of Philippine News: Why are the relief goods in DSWD warehouses not moving?

DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral: Wala kasing volunteers.

This short interview was done over the phone. Philippine News wanted to hear her side pero ayaw niyang makipag-usap sa press. After four tries, pinasabi na lang niya ang maikling sagot na ito sa secretary niya - “Walang volunteers”.

I don’t want to accuse her of corruption but at the very least she is showing signs of being totally incompetent. We are in a state of calamity where every second counts. May namamatay araw-araw dahil sa sakit.

In my opinion, these deaths could have been prevented if Secretary Cabral had tried a little harder to do her job.

Deaths from Philippine storms nears 1,000

“Tropical Storm Ketsana left 420 dead and 37 missing when it flooded 80 percent of Manila on September 26, a disaster the government said affected 4.35 million people.

Some areas are still flooded three weeks later and 189,000 people remain in evacuation centres,

Typhoon Parma hit the northern Philippines on October 3 and lingered as a tropical storm for a week, triggering landslides that killed 438 people and leaving 51 missing mostly in mountain communities.

The government agency said Parma affected 4.16 million people, including more than 32,000 who remain at evacuation centres.”

During the first week after the storm, lumabas ang “bayanihan spirit” ng mga Pinoy. “Makatulong lang kahi’t konti,” katwiran nila.

kung walang volunteers, ano ‘to, komiks?

From Stella Arnaldo’s blog:

“At the offices of many civic groups and private organizations, hundreds of people showed up to volunteer in packing relief goods.

At the Tulong Bayan center at the Expo Centro in Cubao, Most of the volunteers were adolescents as young as 10 years old, along with their kuya or ate in high school and college.

They came in huge numbers, many of them barkadas, classmates or siblings, dressed just in their tees and shorts, wearing their Havaianas. All were just enthusiastic to do their share!
Photos by Leah Navarro


Even grade school kids pitched in to help!


Youth volunteers repack detergents for distribution


Making beds from carton boxes

GMA asked world for donations

Our government begged the world for more donations. Sumagot ang buong mundo sa ating panawagan. In less than three weeks, dumaong ang mga barko, ibinaba mula sa mga cargo planes, i-diniliver ng mga trak at container vans ang sandamakmak na relief goods. Cash donations were in the millions of dollars.

But these donations must be coursed through DSWD

Nagpalabas ng directive ang pangulo. Individuals, private companies and other nations were ENCOURAGED to send their donations to DSWD. I blogged about it here and the video of her announcement here.

This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then. Now I know why. Here’s the story.

A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD warehouses to help in repacking relief goods. We know they need volunteers pero hindi namin akalaing WALANG TAO TALAGA SA LOOB NG WAREHOUSE!

As in sa isang humongous warehouse (1000++ sq.m) NA PUNONG-PUNO NG RELIEF GOODS HANGGANG BUBONG, ISANG DSWD employee lang at ISANG SECURITY GUARD ang tao!!

Kailangang magpa-register at i-schedule ang volunteering

1) UNICEF Registration (as a volunteer)

The warehouse can only take as much as 50 volunteers at a time or per shift. Here you will find that there is a 4-hour shift, and an option for a 6-hour shift for the volunteers to indicate their availability.

What “volunteers”? Nasaan?

Aside from the 8 of us? Nope, there was nobody there. Bakit kailangan ang scheduling? Feeling hindi ba magkamayaw at nagu-unahan ang mga volunteers?

I know somebody who wanted to volunteer many times. She was always bumped off, laging nirere-schedule kasi “there were too many volunteers” daw. At tuwing Sunday lang daw puwede. What the hell is going on here?

Nakatambak ang donations ng UNICEF sa warehouse, local and international

Mga banig na dapat ay nahihigaan ng mga nasalanta. Mga imported camp beds na hindi na yata masisilayan ng mga biktima. Mga kumot na hindi naman nakabalot sa katawan nila. At mga pagkaing hindi sumasayad sa sikmura nila.

The relief goods are not going anywhere

We arrived at about 8 am and left by midafternoon and yes, you guessed it right. Kami pa rin ang tao bukod sa isang DSWD employee sa loob ng warehouse maghapon. Walang ibang dumating.

The relief goods are not moving. By the way things look, they are not going anywhere. Hindi maglalakad mag-isa ang mga donations na ito papunta sa mga evacuation centers.

LET THE PICTURES DO THE TALKING

Note: Pinagbawalan kaming kumuha ng pictures sa loob ng warehouse. I wonder why.

“Not a creature was moving, not even a mouse.”

Parang haunted warehouse ang dating. May multo na yata.

Kahit na daig pa ang tindahan sa Divisoria sa dami ng naka-stack na kaldero

At walang katapusang kaldero pa ulit

Kahit halos natakpan na ang mga bintana sa dami ng mga kahon

Kahit umabot na hanggang kisame ang stack ng mga kahon

(Close up ng Coleman camp beds sa previous photo) Hindi ito kasama sa ni-repack naming goods. Para sa mga “special victims” kaya ito? Ire-repack kaya ang mga “imported” camp pads na ito ever?

Sabagay, may BANIG naman para sa “ordinary victims”. Ito ang kasama sa inimpake namin. Sayang ‘yung imported.

Ano kaya ang laman nito? Hindi rin pinabuksan. Pang-special victim din kaya ito? (teka, dito nga pala galing ‘yung mga kumot)

Mahiwagang mga kahon from Japan Aid.

(close up ng mahiwagang kahon) Hindi rin ito kasali, of course. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang laman nito. “Imported” are not included, we have concluded.

Marami ito, mga laruang kasinlaki ng tao. Hindi nakunan ng pic kasi nasa tabi ng sikyo.

PORK AND BEANS? Yup, you’d think kasama ito sa relief bag. Pork and beans lang ‘to, puwede na sigurong ipamigay,

Naaah! “Imported” pork and beans from Spain po ito. Sorry, hindi pa rin included

Now let’s take a look at what a victim will get from DSWD

Look Ma, sampung lata ng sardinas! How generous! Kaldero ang unang ilalagay sa sako. Sabong panglaba (bar soap) at sampung sardinas sa ilalim. Siyam na sabon sa gilid ng kaldero. Local goods lahat syempre.

Tapos papatungan ng isang tuwalya at isang pack ng sanitary napkin.

Sisiksikan ng tatlong rolyo ng kumot(?) ang blue water jug tapos ipapatong sa kaldero sa loob ng sako.

Last but not the least, lalagyan ng dalawang banig.

Sabay tatahiin na ang sako. O di ba, parang asong tinapunan ng buto ang mga nasalanta? Eniwey, busog naman sila sa SAMPUNG lata ng Mega sardinas

Do not delay

YOU THINK?? WTF is the matter with these people? Mag-iisang buwan na mula nang masalanta ang mga kababayan natin. ISANG BUWAN!! Do you mean “do not delay ang dati nang delayed”?? Shet.

Anong ginagawa ng mga donations na ito sa warehouse?? APAT na warehouse ang nasa loob ng compound na ‘yon! APAT na warehouse na punong-puno ng inaalikabok na relief goods! Relief goods na ayaw yata ibigay sa mga nasalanta. Halatang-halata.

Marami pang pabubulukin

Wow! May bagong shipment na naman! At the rate DSWD is moving, next year na madi-discover kung ano ang laman ng mga kahong ito.

“The first of two of the largest high-energy food shipments from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) arrived in the country two days ago for victims of storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”

The biscuits were fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for supplementary feeding to children, pregnant women and the elderly in evacuation camps. Another 100 tons of biscuits will arrive on Oct. 24, in a continuing effort to provide food assistance to flood victims.

Sige, ideretso ‘nyo ulit ‘yan sa DSWD warehouse. Para AMAG naman ang abutin ng biskwit… at sapot ng gagamba.

Conclusion

Sa maghapon namin sa warehouse,nakagawa kami ng 150 sacks of relief goods. 150 bags of relief goods lang ang lumabas sa warehouse na ‘yon that day. At nandoon pa rin sa loob ang mga imported relief goods, safe, sound and packed as the day they arrived.

Nakisakay kami palabas sa isang DSWD delivery van. Gusto sana kaming ihatid ng driver hanggang Makati pero wala raw siyang sobrang gasolina. Ibinaba na lang niya kami sa gitna ng EDSA. Millions of dollars in donations, walang extrang pang-gasolina.

Susulpot din siguro ang laman ng mga mahiwagang kahon at mapapasakamay din ng mga tao…sa ARAW NG ELEKSYON. O mabibili na nila ang mga imported goods na ‘yon sa mga puwesto sa Quiapo at Divisoria.

Suggestions lang po sa DSWD:

Alam ‘nyo palang walang mag-volunteer sa inyo, bakit hindi kayo mag-hire ng mga tao? Bayaran ‘nyo ng arawan para mag-repack. Ang daming walang trabaho, makakatulong pa kayo. Hindi naman malaking kabawasan ‘yon sa bilyong pisong donasyon na natanggap ninyo.

Isa pa, gaano ba karami ang mga sundalo natin? Hindi ba puwedeng ipagawa sa kanila ‘yan? Baka isang araw lang, tapos na ang problema ‘nyo

Bakit hindi ‘nyo ibigay ang trabaho sa mga NGO, churches, private charities, TV stations? I’m sure they are more than willing to help. Time is of the essence. Huwag kayong suwapang. Obvious ba, hindi ‘nyo naman kaya.

Kung talagang gugustuhin ninyong makarating agad sa mga kawawang biktima ang mga donasyong ‘yon, nagawa ‘nyo na ‘yan. Maraming paraan…kung talagang gusto ‘nyo lang.

You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. You just have to really care.

Corruption starting over again!

Since the storms & the relief coming in from all over the world the PI Govt. is corruption again trying to make profits in their own pockets off all the money coming from people outside. so if u get dollars only change what u need at the time because its all a scam now in the gov.so sad to here that and I was correct it so bad.I hate to see this plus election will be disruptive over all this new free money and its going to be a very very big problem and issue it down because the Philippine stock market is controlling the interest to give to the GOV they are fixing it so they can make the profit: so what ever dollar I get only use what I need because in reality...I know...the rate should be very high right now and that the people will not see ever, but in the politician out of country accounts. Why can't just hand to the people hands not no one else...they only making it down to get more incoming only see thats too quickly ...

Movie Meme: Howdy Partner

I have seen only a few Western Movies. Although, I watch some reruns of John Wayne, we are not into western types of movies. I admit, there are few that is really good. What's your favorite Western Movie? Join us every Monday at The Bumbles Blog.

Here's my entry:

UNFORGIVEN

The town of Big Whisky is full of normal people trying to lead quiet lives. Cowboys try to make a living. Sheriff 'Little Bill' tries to build a house and keep a heavy-handed order. The town whores just try to get by.Then a couple of cowboys cut up a whore. Unsatisfied with Bill's justice, the prostitutes put a bounty on the cowboys. The bounty attracts a young gun billing himself as 'The Schofield Kid', and aging killer William Munny. Munny reformed for his young wife, and has been raising crops and two children in peace. But his wife is gone. Farm life is hard. And Munny is no good at it. So he calls his old partner Ned, saddles his ornery nag, and rides off to kill one more time, blurring the lines between heroism and villainy, man and myth.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY

Blondie (The Good) is a professional gunslinger who is out trying to earn a few dollars. Angel Eyes (The Bad) is a hit man who always commits to a task and sees it through, as long as he is payed to do so. And Tuco (The Ugly) is a wanted outlaw trying to take care of his own hide. Tuco and Blondie share a partnership together making money off Tuco's bounty, but when Blondie unties the partnership, Tuco tries to hunt down Blondie. When Blondie and Tuco comes across a horse carriage loaded with dead bodies, they soon learn from the only survivor (Bill Carson) that he and a few other men have buried a stash of gold in a cemetery. Unfortunately Carson dies and Tuco only finds out the name of the cemetery, while Blondie finds out the name on the grave. Now the two must keep each other alive in order to find the gold. Angel Eyes (who had been looking for Bill Carson) discovers that Tuco and Blondie meet with Carson and knows they know the location of the gold. All he needs is for the two to lead him to it. Now The Good, The Bad and The Ugly must all battle it out to get their hands on $200,000 worth of gold.

Kitchen Talks...

The kitchen has been our favorite place for leisurely talks. Even how busy we are, we always have had fun talks in the kitchen. We discuss things while cooking or doing the dishes. We always sit around the table even after we had finished eating. That is somewhat our way of family bonding....

The kitchen has been a witness of all those happy smiles and also tears, of dreams and ambitions... even all those day dreams....Here is our foods its yummy right...:o)

Staying Healthy

I believe in using herbal medicines.... it has been proven that herbal medicines work. I am thinking, since herbal medicine works, I am sure that it is important to indulge ourselves with herbal nutrition.

I got acquainted with Herbal Nutrition provided by Herbal Life International when I was sick. During that time, herbal nutrition was the trend especially when you are trying to loss weight. I attended one of their orientation and I was so surprised to find out that they have so many different vitamin supplements. A cousin of mine convinced me to try some of their products and I admit, it worked well with me. Herbal life products helped me in staying healthy.

I am glad to find independent Herbalife distributors. I found them by searching at http://herbal-nutrition.net! If you want to know the distributors near you, just visit the web page and type in your location and a list of independent distributor near you will be provided. so, what are you waiting for???hurry up!

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation or infection of the sinuses and nasal passages. The sinuses become blocked, which causes pain and pressure in the face.

Sinusitis most often follows a cold. Sinus problems can also be related to allergies, an infected tooth, air pollution, and other things. like; Frontal sinus, Ethmoid sinus, Sphenoidal sinus and Maxillary sinus. Them sinuses are hollow spaces in the head.


Is It Sinusitis or a Cold?
Colds and sinusitis have some of the same symptoms, like a stuffy nose and cough.

But if you have a sinus problem, you may also have:
* Pain over your cheekbones and upper teeth.
* Pain in your forehead over your eyebrows.
* Pain around or behind your eyes.

Along with the pain, you may have a headache, swelling around your eyes, a fever, or mucus draining down your throat. Face pain and these other symptoms are not likely with just a cold.

What About Antibiotics?
There are good reasons not to use antibiotics unless you really need them:
* You will probably have to see the provider to get a prescription. This costs you time.
* Antibiotics can have harmful side effects, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and skin rashes.
* The most important reason of all: If you take antibiotics when you don't need them, they may not work when you do need them. Each time you take antibiotics, your are more likely to carry some bacteria that were not killed by the medicine. Over time, these bacteria get tougher and can cause longer and more serious infections. To treat them, you may need different and stronger antibiotics.

Do you need antibiotics for sinusitis?

Sinusitis usually gets better with good self-care. If you try the tips in Home Treatment, you may be able to avoid antibiotics and a trip to your provider.

But if your symptoms are severe or last more than 10 to 14 days, you may need antibiotics. If you do not treat a bad sinus infection or it does not respond to treatment, it can lead to long-term sinus problems that are harder to treat.

Home Treatment

* Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
* Put a warm, damp towel or gel pack on your face several times a day for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.
* Breathe warm, moist air from a steamy shower, a hot bath, or a sink filled with hot water.
* Use a humidifier in your home, or at least in your bedroom. Avoid cold, dry air.
* Take aspirin, acetaminophen ( Tylenol ), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to relieve face pain and head ache, if your provider says it is okay.
* Use decongestant pills or a decongestant nasal spray. Do not use a nasal decongestant spray for more than 3 days in a row.
* Do not take antihistamines unless your symptoms may also be caused by allergies.
* Do not smoke, and avoid other people's smoke.
* If your see streaks of mucus in the back of your throat, gargle with warm water.
* Blow your nose gently. Do not block one nostril when you blow your nose.
* Use a saltwater (saline) wash to help clear out mucus and bacteria. You can use nonprescription saline nose drops or a homemade saltwater mix. You can also try the saline nose drops just make saline nose drops at home. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water. Store it in a clean bottle with a dropper. After 3 days, throw out the mix and make a fresh one.
* Use a bulb syringe to gently squirt the liquid into your nose. Or snuff it from the palm of your hand, one nostril at a time.
* Blow your nose gently when you are done.
* Repeat 2 to 4 times a day.

Deadly Disease

I can't imagine how those Filipino flood victims of typhoon Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng suffering a lot. They flocked in overcrowded evacuation centers. They can't go back to their house yet because their area are still flooded and most of their houses flashed out by strong water current. Many of them now afflicted with respiratory diseases, diarrhea or gastroenteritis, HINI, skin diseases, athletes foot disease and the deadly leptospiroses. Almost hundreds now died of this disease and there is an overflowing leptospiroses cases admitted for treatment in government hospitals. Most of them are in the severe stage and they are already on dialysis . The kidneys are the favorite organ of Lyptospiros bacteria to attack and this is fatal once the kidneys are affected and if not treated immediately. The department of health announced that those government hospitals will never refuse to accept those patient with a symptoms of Leptospiroses and advised to treat them free of charge.

Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps; many women have painful periods. It's common to have: Cramping in the lower belly, back, or thighs, Headaches, Diarrhea, constipation, or nausea, Dizziness. These Problems are often caused by normal hormone changes. Pain and cr...amps can aslo be related to endometriosis ( a problem w/ the uterus ), pelvic infections, or noncancerous growths (fibroids) in the uterus. If u tend to get symptoms other than cramping (such as weight gain, headaches, and tension) before ur period starts, u may have PMS that can make u angry or even violent and upset ur relationships at work and home. Prescription medicines and self-care can help u get back in control.

Home Treatment

* Take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) the day before your period starts, or at the first sign of pain, if your provider says it is okay. These medicines may ease cramps better than aspirin or acetaminophen ( Tylenol ). Tylenol Uses for temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to the common cold, headache, backache, toothache, muscular aches, premenstrual and menstrual cramps, minor pain of arthritis and temporarily reduces fever.

* Exercise. It makes cramps less severe.
* Use a heating pad or take a hot bath to relax tense muscles and relieve cramps.
* Try herbal teas, such as ginger, chamomile, or mint. These may help soothe tense muscles and anxious moods.

Chili

A pot of chili is always great during cold days....


Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef
1 can of light red kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes
2 pcs onion
chili mix

Directions:

• Brown the beef.
  
• Drain the fats and run through hot water.
  
• Add all other ingredients and simmer for at least 2 hours.
• Serve with saltine crackers and cheese!

Think Pink; Support Breast Cancer with Cryo-Cell

Some things in life are extraordinarily important. Saving a life or possibly saving breast cancer patient is definitely one of those things. That is why you simply must look into the idea of saving your menstrual blood or menstrual stem cells. October is a Breast Cancer Awareness Month so, let us support C'Elle Breats Cancer Donation and think pink. Cryo-Cell International, Inc. is partnering with the National Institutes of Health to explore the potential utilization of menstrual stem cells to treat breast cancer. The partnership is underway to better understand the C’elle stem cells and their potential benefit for the treatment of breast cancer. Stem cells from menstrual blood are proven to be a rich source of stem cells. In fact, they are the subject of extensive, aggressive stem cell research and development, and industry experts anticipate that C’elle stem cells will be the next great frontier for diagnostic and regenerative medicine as well. I also learned that research shows that menstrual stem cells have the potential to treat diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. And now C’elle, are proud to take strides to help fight breast cancer. When you order C’elle Menstrual Stem Cell now you are supporting the Cyro-Cell Breast Cancer Donation because C’elle is donating $25 from every enrollment throughout the October to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and $50 for each purchase of the “Protect Baby, Protect Mom” service. So, let's join hand to support the campaign of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Think Pink!