ONE thing I have observed for several years now and whoever is the president is that officials of our government agencies and leaders of local government units are reactive during emergencies instead of being proactive. The classic example is the recent eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas where the government officials only reacted after the sudden surge of prices of goods, like face masks, went viral in social media.
The government agencies, like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and the local government units are supposed to have ready funds for emergencies like this.
Instead of letting the residents affected by the ash fall pay for very high price on goods and items, like face mask, the DOH and the DSWD could have provided them free mask. Also, the DTI’s warning against profiteers is nada unless they act and put value on their warnings. Entrepreneurs who take advantage during emergencies should have no place in our society. They should be prosecuted to the fullest.
Some netizens even criticized the call of DSWD for assistance from the private sector when the government has more than enough funds from the tax collection. Agree. But even without the yell for help from DSWD, the private sector, as we always know, renders assistance to those in need during emergencies.
For the past several months and years our nation has been visited and hit with calamities, like typhoons, earthquakes, and now the eruption of Taal, an active volcano, that our government should have allocated huge budget for emergencies, instead of giving the legislators enormous funds in the guise of priority development funds that only benefit them.
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Aside from the well said and applauded answer of Beatrice Luigi Gomez, 24, who represents the town of San Fernando, during the question and answer and her honesty in admitting that she has a girlfriend and tattoo on her body could have won the hearts and minds of the judges that she was chosen this year’s Binibining Cebu 2020 held at Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
Gomez bested the 12 finalists, who were chosen from the 54 beauty contestants for the Binibining Cebu 2020. Here is Gomez answer to the final question: “I, myself, was not raised as a privileged child. That is the reason why my advocacy is about youth empowerment through sports. I was able to send myself to school. I was raised by a single mother, but fortunately I was able to be part of a varsity team, I got a scholarship and I was lucky enough to be able to have this opportunity. And that is the reason why I would like to inspire all kids out there, who are less fortunate, to never give up because there’s always a way. God will always provide us a way. You just don’t have to give up because you can always find that solution to make ourselves self-sufficient and that’s the reason why I’m able to help you guys because if I win this competition, I will be able to share with you my experiences and how I was able to get past through that experience.”
Ameena Allababidi of Cordova, who won the Bibining Cebu Tourism crown, has entertained the crowd with her lively and no nonsense answer to the final question and answer. She even exclaimed “Oh my God” in the middle of her answer.
The Binibining Cebu is this year’s third edition. It was founded by the SHS-B Batch 1985 Foundation Inc. and Binibining Sugbu Charity Foundation Inc., to serve as a platform for the young women to show their talents and advocacy. This year’s 12 finalists have improved much since they can express themselves well and in the English language.