Greetings All!
I have been tracking the Agusan River for 4 years, and today the velocity reached 16 knots!!!! That is a speed that approaches Class rapids! In years past during flood season, 12 knots was tops. My guess is that the viaduct and drainage systems were not prepared for the sudden emergence of floodwaters ‘current’ly flooding the city. Said mechanical systems are now likely inoperable due to the ‘psi’ of the Agusan. The river gave little warning, and those responsible for diverting and diminishing said flow are sure to be burning the midnight oil, as it were.
In short folks, Butuan City is flooded and facing a real disaster. The storm hovering over our clime is now slow moving. A steady rain has dumped on us for 5 straight days, and might linger for another 3. My thoughts immediately turn to the residents of Brgy. Agao, who receive the full brunt of the River prior to making a 90 degree turn to meet the tide. Agao feels the brunt, and off its banks lays the 3rd deepest hole in the entire river. Matched against incoming tides, this location is the first fight resulting in substantial whirlpools and undercurrents. A few years ago I took Joy’s (my wife), family to Agao to show them the underwater geography via sonar and attempted to explain the likely scenario of why their 5 year old brother drowned there some 35 years ago. It was a solemn occasion, but our ‘Nanay’ never let go of my arm as she sat beside me looking at the sonar, and understanding the currents involved. As most of us recognize, understanding the reasons why a loved one is lost is a wonderful tool for transitioning from sadness of a loss, to gladness of a life lived.
As to Joy, and if you’ll allow me a bit of license, we had an epiphany of sorts. I had a full van the other day, and I wanted to show the beautiful statue erected by Dr. Malvar, across from the Balanghai Hotel, which is owned by same. Without getting into the ‘why’s and wherefore’s’, it suffices to state that ‘Bones Malvar’ is a soul of vision and love for Butuan. He is creating out of his wallet that which the public sector should have been doing long ago. As we passed by the newly erected statue, a City dump truck drove past.
My wife, completely on her own, offered aloud the sentiment of how distasteful it was for a politician to print his name on a dump truck that was purchased from public funds-the peoples money-in the view of such a grand gift to the public from a private wallet-and without any personal recognition needed. Kind of like the old saying, ‘If you have to tell someone how good you are,….you’re not.’
Talk about hitting the nail on the head!!!
Our local politicos-pardon the interruption!
Please note that among Expats and visiting foreigners, this practice of extolling the virtue of procuring the requisite tools for efficiently operating a jurisdiction, is clearly the most ‘guffawed’ at practice witnessed throughout this country. In my little mind, the practice of plastering a politicos photo and name on a banner or vehicle extolling the perception that without said politicos’ participation, said event or vehicle would not be possible, is a decided sham and insult to the intelligence of very people said politico was ‘hired’ to serve.
It’s the politicos ‘Job’ to procure a service vehicle or to provide the environment to create an event!!! YEEESH!
Like about 70% of Butuanons that have known suffrage in this dastardly oppressive and cruel environ, my beloved wife spoke up on her own volition. Me, you, the pronounced local generational families, Datu’s, and the like, we are all the same. We are equal. No one is better than another. The love in your family is no stronger or weaker than the love in another’s. I wonder if humans, as a specie, will ever realize this fact?
Lets be clear, this practice is not just the local politicos…..perhaps it is habit and the way things have always been done, er, just like the horrible clan whackings/beheadings a bit to our south this week. Mindanao tourism officials may as well take an extended vacation at this point.
This town is experiencing an activism that to my little brain, has never been seen. Any sitting politico that considers this ‘rising’ to be a threat is simply not thinking. Smart politicos work to recognize current conditions in the year 2009. The internet is flush with awareness. Butuan is served by Butuanon Yahoo Group and the Butuan Global Forum, as well as other less pronounced websites concerned with local happenings. Whacking a local journalist or candidate is not effective strategy anymore. The killings to the south were perpetrated by really stupid people-it ain’t 1966 anymore-they will fry-because even if the Philippine justice system wimps out, the world won’t allow such horror. Mark it down.
As I have often related, the current 25-40 generation of Butuanons, in my view, is in the process of advancing this clime to unbounded heights. I have such faith in their efforts. They are respecting their father’s, (a phrase), but interjecting internationally accepted standards in so many areas so as to participate and compete in a shrinking world. The most telling virtue is that they volunteer-the truest indicator of goodness. Bless them. Support them. Encourage them. The time for Butuan to introduce itself to the world is now. Let us hope and pray that our upcoming elections are a peaceful and honorable process.
Sorry for the lateness this week, the flood conditions have put us on duty 24/7. Hope to see you at Café Caliente today at 11am.
Peace to all,
G
Popularity: 4% [?]
Post Comment