Thursday, June 26, 2008 Editorials: Other than Princess’ sinking
WHILE attention given to the sinking of mv Princess of the Stars is not surprising, perspective should not be lost: it was but part of the damage typhoon Frank wrought.
The sinking is a major tragedy and evokes varied emotions, mostly anger and sense of loss, aside from exposing again the failings of government and the private sector.
This is why the more visible, and in some instances angry reaction of President Arroyo, who is on a working trip to the United States, has been that on the sinking.
Damage
Frank, however, did more than just sink Princess of the Orient (a few smaller vessels sank, too); it damaged properties and agricultural produce and snuffed out lives.
Many areas in the Visayas, including Cebu, were not spared.
Assessment of the damage throughout the country is still ongoing, but the President has already scheduled a visit to Iloilo, which seems to be the worst hit.
Solutions
In Cebu the storm, aside from destroying agricultural produce, especially in the northern areas, also damaged ferries and motorized boats as well as properties.
Damage to agricultural produce as well as vessels that transport cargo and passengers will contribute to the pinch now being felt both in the rural and urban areas.
Bantayan Mayor Geralyn Escario Cañares has already sounded the call for help, especially for the town’s poultry industry that supplies eggs to Central Visayas.
Rehabilitation
Meaning, there are short term and long term effects of the damage wrought by typhoon Frank that will also need short-term and long-term solutions and attention.
Short-term help includes distribution of relief goods to typhoon victims, something that should not only be a problem of the government but of all concerned sectors.
The tricky part is the long-term; Bantayan poultry raisers for example are, this early, asking for funding assistance to restart their damaged businesses.
Thus, even as attention is given to the search for the missing passengers of mv Princess of the Stars and to the investigation of the incident, the rehabilitation process for areas devastated by typhoon Frank should already start rolling.
