Sensitivity to tragedy

Since news about the deaths and loss of properties in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan came out—and lest we forget, also about the loss of lives and properties in Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City and other parts of the country struck by Tropical Storm Sendong—we have witnessed the vigorous spirit of volunteerism and bayanihan shown by Cebuanos.

Residents of Metro Cebu and outlying towns came in droves to donate cash and goods, often declining to be acknowledged or named by the media outlets who started fund campaigns.

Both Cebu City Hall and the Capitol immediately sent donations of cash, goods and morgue equipment to help identify the remains of the unclaimed victims.

To them, no words of gratitude can be expressed adequately for their generosity. In giving, they didn’t care whether they had friends or relatives in these cities nor did they hesitate to give with no thought of receiving something in return.

We also take note of reports about President Benigno Aquino III attending a Christmas party of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) at the height of the rescue and relief efforts.

An actress’s tweet about performing at the party triggered waves of negative public feedback on line in social media. Malacañang had to clarify quickly that P-Noy just dropped by for 30 minutes and even canceled his Cabinet’s Christmas party.

The need to show sensitivity to suffering of this magnitude is obvious. President Aquino is expected to know this.

That’s why it’s a horror as well to see the Cagayan de Oro city government support the dumping of unclaimed remains of flood victims in a sanitary landfill.

Residents who lost their loved ones have objected to the mass burial, let alone the transfer of the remains to a trash site. Cagayan de Oro City officials were caught flatfooted by the disaster, and said the stench of death was overwhelming. The local funeral parlors couldn’t handle the sudden load.

Contrast this with efforts of the Iligan city government in trying to find individual tombs for the victims. That is why Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s proposal to send the mobile laboratory used to identify the victims of the Princess of the Stars sinking in 2008 would prove useful to families in identifying the remains so they can give their departed loved ones proper burial.

As Filipinos, respect for the dead is ingrained in our culture. Regardless of one’s station in life, one deserves to be shown dignity in death. Placing the bodies of loved ones in a common grave or a dumpsite is sheer callousness.

In scheduling parties or deciding how to bury flood victims, government officials should strive to be sensitive and show utmost human decency.