Today, nag hahanap na ng mga volunteers ang DSWD, at least nakagawa ng action kaagad. Para sa information kung paano makapag volunteer, visit na lang sa site ng GangBadoy (http://gangbadoy.multiply.com)

links:

• how to help (DSWD)
• map and info DSWD warehouse

[start quote from gangBadoy]

I was so happy.

I immediately replied. My hunch was right, my friend Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros gave my contact number to the Dept of Social Welfare and Development Secretary. I told Risa if 'the lack of volunteers' is the reason why DSWD has not sent out the relief goods then she should call me.  I know  many private citizens who are willing to help out. And voila, she did.

Many are willing to pack and sort and look for options for delivery (as groups like WhiteSpace, TulongBayan, BalayExpo, Angel Brigade, LSGH, AdMU, Red Cross have been doing since typhoon Ondoy).   Since the warehouses of DSWD are filling up with donations from overseas- then it is time they be delivered to the survivors.  Families who are recovering and desperately rebuilding their lives from the recent onslaught brought about by the two typhoons.

Sec. Cabral and I talked and she mentioned that the DSWD is open 24 hours for workshifts so she agreed for us (private citizens via our NGO: Rock Ed Philippines) to try to come up with a shift-coordination-list of, at least, 50 volunteers per day - for Monday to Friday - 3pm-11pm.

[end quote]

A nation without government (by Randy David on inquirer.net)

I admire how Mr. Randy David writes his articles: he first presents the problem, then states the facts to let his readers see the bigger picture, and then propose a logical solution or alternative. And there's always the remarkable smooth transition from one subject to another. His articles most of the time promote self-awareness, therefore empowering his audience to have a broader perspective on the topic.

I usually get turned off by (local) socio-political articles which are full of hatred and mockery. I feel that I'm wasting my time if I read something that I already knew, so I would skim through their words. The truth is I value solutions and ideas more than criticisms and hatred.

And Mr. Randy David has ideas worth spreading - most of the time better than what the government imparts.

He became my favorite after reading this idealistic statement from his article a few years ago:

"Act as if the government does not exist."

...then I knew he's one of the best.

Pumunta ako sa UP kanina, after kong maka survive sa admission process, naisip ko na kailangan kong bigyan ng reward ang aking sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagkain ng isaw sa Mang Larry's (yung malapit sa SC at Kalayaan Residence Hall)

Naabutan ko don yung 4 girls na mga laking aircon, suot ang kanilang highschool uniforms. Bale bumibili din sila ng isaw.

Ngayon yung stand ng isaw na yon ay may babaeng kumukuha ng orders, meron syang mga papers at ini-indicate nya don kung ilan yung orders at kung sino ang nag order. Tapos kapag tapos na ihawin yung order, tatawagin ng order taker yung "name" ng nag order, para kang nasa Starbucks. Parang pang boost ng ego kahit isaw lang yung binili mo.

Eto na yung kwento...habang umu order yung isang estudyante sinabi nya yung totoo nyang pangalan at pina-spell pa ng maayos, gusto nya talaga correct yung spelling ng name nya - sa ISAW STAND.

Una, ISAW stand yon, hindi yon Starbucks. LET IT SLIDE.

Pangalawa, yung pag pronounce ng pangalan eh maiiba din naman dahil may punto yung babae, hindi ko alam kung saang probinsya sya galing. Correct nga yung spelling hindi rin naman maayos yung pag pronounce. Para saan pa ang pag correct? LET IT SLIDE, NASA ISAW STAND KA.

Pangatlo, hindi mo ba naisip na gumamit ng isang "cool" pseudonym. Bakit di mo subukang gamitin ang "Juancho" kahit babae ka? Pagkakataon mo nang tawagin sa pangalang talagang gusto mo Mr. Matambaka. Walang makiki-alam sa ISAW STAND, THEY LET IT SLIDE.

Pang-apat, nakarinig ka na ba ng isang probinsyanong nag i i slang para lang i pronounce yung pangalan mo?

Pagkatapos nilang umorder, ako na yung sumunod:

order taker: anong order?

ako: 5 isaw ng manok

order taker: pangalan?

ako: koree

Katulad ng ini-expect ko ang sinulat na spelling ng pangalan ko ay "Cory". Ayos lang , ang importante may manners ako pag nasa isawan.

News: House committee OKs bill abolishing NDCC (Source: abs-cbnnews.com)

(quote)

"MANILA - The House committee on appropriations on Tuesday approved a consolidated bill abolishing the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), citing its failure to immediately rescue and provide relief to victims of tropical storm Ondoy.

The still unnumbered consolidated bill, “Strengthening the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system,” seeks to replace NDCC--a council convened only when need arises—with the permanent National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC)."

(end quote)

Fact : NDCC has caused a great deal of embarassment to the Filipinos.

Fact: When someone says, "rubberboat" the first thing that comes to my mind is the NDCC.

...so they're planning to replace (the) NDCC with NDRRMC, quite long for an abbreviation if you ask me.

I think the real reason why they want to abolish the NDCC, aside from the fact that it sucks, is to let the Filipinos forget of the government's failure and negligence; and take note, the election is fast approaching the political candidates should get rid of the ugly truths from their "saintly" professional qualifications.

One thing to point out: it doesn't matter and it wouldn't change anything if they would replace the NDCC, with another council having the same members straight from NDCC.

That would be one ugly truth and really stupid too.

PGMA's Latest Directives Sept 29, 2009 2100h (3 days after typhoon Ondoy hit Manila and 25 provinces)

(at 0:49 secs of the video)

"...ikatlo, hindi sisingilin ng buwis o kukumpiskahan ng Bureau of Customs ang mga donasyon na pagkain at kagamitan mula sa ibang bayan basta't ito ay naka assign sa DSWD"

And what would happen to the relief goods that aren't addressed to DSWD?

The Philippines is in a state of calamity. (of course this is a common knowledge)

THE PEOPLE NEED THE RELIEF GOODS BADLY - THEY NEED IT NOW.

I quickly shared this video to my contacts in facebook, and mentioned this to several tech-savvy celebrities and politicinas whom I follow in twitter - hoping that the information would spread and the people concerned would do something so that the relief goods that aren't addressed to DSWD would also be included in the tax exemption and would not be confiscated by the Bureau of Customs.

Luckily, Senator Kiko Pangilinan was able to spot my tweet even though he has many followers.

Salamat sir! =)

I find it funny that I'm desperately seeking help for what the President had instructed.

The Filipino internet community has been in an energetic state since the disaster happened.

It seems this "online bayanihan" is driven by compassion and empathy for the victims of the typhoon.

I hope this unity would last until the 2010 elections.