A Comment on Yolanda

I guess I am one of the persons who you still do not understand as your post says. I do not know the depth of your conviction about the matter but I take your posting of sentiments about the handling of Yolanda as a way of opening yourself to both affirmations and alternative ways of looking at the issue. Allow me to do the latter on the presumption that your wall is a free democratic space.

First, let’s put some context on the issue: Yolanda is one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded in history. Even a first world country like the US had a significant death toll for Katrina, which had less intensity as Yolanda. I speak on the matter with some background, being a co-lead of a corporate response initiative that benefited close to 50,000 families in seven provinces through our people's joint efforts. As part of that role, I met local chief executives, national government representatives, and international and local disaster response NGOs, and most importantly, the survivors of Yolanda. I also volunteered to go to Tacloban City and Guiuan, Eastern Samar three weeks after Yolanda for several relief operations (without special accommodations, meals and cellphone signals) and a year and a half later for the inauguration of health stations and school buildings.

The devastation that I witnessed was beyond words; I found the heart to post the complete photos only a year after Yolanda. I saw how the government could have done better with this and that but that would be overlooking what I could have done better in my small role.

 Did Mar Roxas miserably fail and cause the estimated 7,000 deaths and widespread devastation? I do not think so. Going back to the context, there is no way for any human being or institution to stop the damage caused by both the strong winds and the storm surge of Yolanda. As DILG head, Mar Roxas fulfilled his role – and event went beyond his call of duty – which was to alert and enable the local chief executives of the areas that would be affected by Yolanda. After all, it is written in black and white that these LCEs are the frontliners or first responders to disasters. In spite of this, Mar Roxas, as evidences show, was in the scenes of the disaster before, during and after Yolanda. And as I have personally validated, AFP troops and police officers were deployed prior to Yolanda and resources were made available to the LGUs.

Blaming is a tricky exercise: Do we blame Mar Roxas, President Aquino, Sec. Soliman, Sec. Gazmin… or the mayors and the other local leaders, and the citizens who refused to heed the warnings? I do not have any answer to that. But what I know is that we all have a stake in disaster prevention and we have to acknowledge that everyone, not just the government, is doing their best to cooperate this time and make disaster preparedness and prevention a priority.

There is more to be said about the matter but I run the risk of boring you in this long yet factual post. So I suggest that you go through the following links if you are still open to consider alternative perceptions about Yolanda:

FAQs on Government’s Immediate Response to Yolanda: http://bit.ly/1LZGJu6

Benchmarking Our Yolanda Response with Other Countries: http://www.rappler.com/nation/74370-comparing-yolanda-nargis-katrina-aceh

RAY (Recovery Assistance on Yolanda) - Specific Projects of DILG: http://ray.dilg.gov.ph/beneficiaries.php 

FAiTH (Foreign Aid Transparency Hub):
http://www.gov.ph/faith/

Women and Mar Roxas

Women come up to Mar Roxas for hugs and selfies which Mar welcomes with respect

As I studied the life and work of Mar Roxas in the last few months, I uncovered a side of him that I find no other word to describe but endearing. In every photo, article, interview, and candid moment or recollection of one who has encountered Mar Roxas, Mar's deference for women, as well as for children and the elderly, manifests.

Mar shared a peculiar moment with one of the elderly attendees of the Makati City's International Women's Day Celebration yesterday. The old lady approached him and stroked his nape - as one would do on a Buddha, Mar jokingly said - when he met with the huge crowd that gathered in the Makati Coliseum. The woman then held his gaze as she implored, "Huwag mo kaming pababayaan."

These four words touched Mar's heart. People close to him have repeatedly described Mar as someone who wears his heart on his sleeve. There are also these little stories that explain the reasons that prompted Mar to courageously, in his own distinct way, take measures to protect the rights of the "little ones". In his initiatives such as the legislation of the Cheaper Medicines Bill and the imposition of tighter regulation for preened companies, there is a face behind them: an ordinary person; a marginalized member of the society; a woman.

Mar anchors his plans for the advancement of women's rights and welfare on inclusivity, which is aligned with this year's National Women's Month theme, "Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda!"

1. POVERTY REDUCTION - Further expand 4Ps, which offers beneficiaries cash grants so long as they meet requirements (family development sessions, pre- and post-natal care for pregnant women, check-ups and vaccines for children, school enrolment, and at least 85% class attendance per month for school-age beneficiaries). Widen its coverage to cover near-poor families to prevent downward slide to poverty. Recalibrate program to allow families to transition to decent jobs and to extend investment in health and education. (Source: @AskMar)

2. WOMEN'S HEALTH - Universal healthcare. Continue the establishment of PhilHealth-accredited women and child centers in isolated barangays. Proper implementation of RH Law.  (Source: @AskMar)

3. BOTTOM-UP BUDGETING - Local women’s groups may partner up with local government to choose projects, development programs they want implement in their area.  (Source: @AskMar)

Mar Roxas' inclusive approach to women empowerment traces back to his immediate environment, being surrounded by strong women and raised in a family where women are treated as equals. Consistent with Mar's reason for being a public servant, Mar intends to level the field of opportunities for women in recognition of their capabilities.

They say that we can judge a man's character with the way he treats women. Consistently, Mar Roxas has been unafraid to break alpha male or macho stereotypes that Filipino politicians commonly employ. Mar Roxas won't use women for soundbites or publicity. He accords women with respect and great importance--whether it is to grant his beloved some moral advantage or to uplift a woman from her disadvantaged status.

"Half the sky is held up by women."
- Paraphrased by Mar Roxas from a popular quote

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This Women's Month, I shall feature some of the strong women who I have met as a volunteer in the campaign of Mar Roxas. Among them are Leni Robredo, Leila de Lima, and Risa Hontiveros who joined the International Women's Day Celebration with Mar Roxas.

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More updates and information at:

Bayang Matuwid’s site: www.bayangmatuwid.org/
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BayangMatuwid/
Twitter: @BayangMatuwid
Instagram: @BayangMatuwid

Lugaw for Leni: Fund Raising for Leni Robredo for Vice President

Unlimited bowls of Lugaw for Leni

Volunteering for Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo has so far been a challenging yet enriching experience. I get to learn a lot from every volunteer activity, as well as meet fellow volunteers who are also willing to give their time, talents, and material resources for the campaign as an expression of patriotism.

Last February 21, Chef Adrian Cuenca of Elbert's Steak Room and Elbert's Sandwiches organized Lugaw for Leni, a fund raising initiative for Leni Robredo for Vice President, at Elbert's Steak Room in Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Beyond common references to Leni as the widow of the late Jesse Robredo, serving the poor has been always at the heart of Leni Robredo's life mission as a human rights lawyer and legislator, an essential characteristic of someone who deserves to lead our country as vice president.

Leni Robredo was at the time working for SALIGAN, which is an organization for alternative lawyering, offering her legal services and expertise to the poor and the marginalized sectors, especially in far-flung communities in the provinces.  

... became the representative of the Third District of Camarines Sur in 2013 after she was persuaded to consider the political life, with a continuing commitment to her three daughters to remain the caring mother she set out to be at the start of her married life. Her record in Congress demonstrates a consistent focus on rural development, women empowerment, and improving governance. She has worked on a wide range of concerns, from systematizing citizen’s participation in local governance, to delivery of basic services to the poor, and addressing structural inequality.  

Some of the bills she filed in the House of Representatives are: National Food Security Bill of 2015, Anti-discrimination Bill of 2013, People’s Participation in Budget Deliberation Bill, People Empowerment Bill of 2014, Full Disclosure Bill and the Freedom of Information Bill. (Source: http://lenirobredo.com/about-leni/)

All eyes on Mar Roxas! (Photo Credit: Alma)

Together with other supporters, we gathered at Elbert's bar to watch the 2016 Presidential Debates kick off where we Leni's running mate, Mar Roxas, besting all the other candidates according to the Movement for Good Governance's scorecard. (Other opinions are valid. Peace!)

Creative and infinite toppings on Chef Adrian's special lugaw recipe

Afterwards, we transferred to the Steak Room to enjoy Chef Adrian's special unlimited bowls of lugaw with creative and infinite toppings. With a full house, we were able to raise funds that were immediately turned over by Chef Adrian to Leni Robredo's official campaign staff. He subsequently provided us his accounting report along with the receipts in the spirit of transparency which the Daang Matuwid espouses.

Liberation from Time Poverty

Spot the yellow in this gypsy

Recently, Melinda Gates posted a short Instagram clip about women and time poverty. This somehow resonates with me as a working solo parent who has been single-handedly raising a child with her own unique needs and gifts that have to be nurtured.

I came to a big decision, after a long and careful thought: Effective on March 1, 2016, I have resigned from my full-time duties as the Head of Programs of the family foundation of one of the country's wealthiest persons.

Being someone who often feels deeply about many things, it has been a great effort to keep my emotions in check in the past seven months, knowing that I have to continue to be a source of strength and inspiration to my colleagues. I have been blessed with good people, as well as supportive bosses who have mentored me well in the last four and a half years. I am grateful too that they gave me enough time to make a proper discernment, which then allowed us to agree on a suitable consultancy arrangement that is fair to both parties.

I will be resting and making myself more present -- physically, mentally and emotionally -- to my daughter, Krissy, until the middle of March. After which, I shall resume my engagement with the foundation as a Thought Leadership Consultant while devoting more time to Krissy's present situation and her future by dedicating my free time and whatever talents I have as a volunteer in the campaign of two people whose integrity and capability to lead our country, I strongly believe in. 

Please pray with me as I navigate God's plan for Krissy and me in the coming months.