Typhoon Sendong Strikes

December 16, 2011 will forever be remembered by those affected by Typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao especially in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. Sendong produced heavy rains and cost several damages to properties and lives of Filipinos resulting to more than 3000 deaths and some are missing. Major rivers swiftly overflowed which results to flash flood and landslides.

In our alternative class, last Jan. 9-11, 2012 we were able to share one’s experience during the tragedy. Those people who were directly affected had a hard time to recover back their normal life for their belongings were washed away and some wasn’t able to save their things. Good thing our school aided them some supplies for them to be used such as uniform, books, I.d, etc.

Speaking of recovery, the outpouring of aid from the Philippine government has been remarkably better. There were massive relief operation; soldiers were mobilized to assist in recovery efforts and evacuations, donations received from other place in the country and also from the foreign countries. Some even sacrifices their Christmas event budget and chooses to donate it instead. In that moment, we as a nation would have to ask ourselves to question why Sendong happened.

Several reasons why Northern Mindanao was affected by the flood; It is very clear that there were people in Mindanao who abused the environment. The thousands of logs that rolled downhill and destroyed many establishments during the storm pointed to illegal logging. Much mud slid down the mountains because they are already bald.

After the tragic flashfloods and fatalities that Typhoon Sendong has brought in the country, and it had cost the lives and properties of many of Filipinos, however, if we just learned from the lessons of the past catastrophes brought about those past typhoons, this could never happen to us again. Preparedness, unity and cooperation are needed to overcome these disasters. We can blame anybody for what had happen, the government, the people, those illegal loggers, miners, even the typhoon itself, but we can never blame the Almighty God for what had happen. For it have all reasons or purpose. May we all learn from the mistakes and flaws of yesterday.

Lately, we learn that the worst of disasters can bring out the best in the human spirit. Like the Bamboo, we must, and can be flexible enough to bend, and bow amidst the powerful storm