2012

Clairvoyants are trying to divine what’s going to happen in 2012, the Year of the Water Dragon according to the Chinese zodiac. Wherever one’s interests lie, be it in the field of business, politics, love or career, astrologers and feng shui experts will always have something positive to say that would appeal to any one’s useful purpose. To be sure, the upbeat outlook is always tempered with advice against making hasty decisions, or allowing bad temper and negative attitude to rule over one’s good reason.

The manghuhulas of Quiapo in downtown Manila used to make a killing attending to the lovelorn and people who lost loved ones or valuables. In time, however, their services became questionable. I’m not sure if their supposed talents or gifts expired, or it had something to do with the nature of the company they kept because the space they occupied near a church was also home to petty criminals.

Nowadays, the art of fortune-telling has seemingly evolved into a “profession” where the practitioner keenly mixes horoscope or astrology with a good amount of practical tips.

Called life-coaches, they had many viewers glued on their TV sets at the close of last year, listening to what is in store for them in the new one. Because everyone has a particular zodiac sign, people were drawn to the TV feng shui experts and psychics talking about the positive notes for each sign. The modern clairvoyants then proceeded to caution people to be careful when making life-changing decisions, like choosing a career, a lifetime partner, investments, etc. Come to think of it, these are the directions we keep hearing from our elders when we’re growing up. The difference is that young people don’t listen because parents have a tendency to sermonize. The modern-day fortune-tellers who double as life-coaches come off like objective professionals.

There is something in the universe today that, although already happening, many people tend to believe is going to happen in the future, or worse, suggest is remains uncertain.

I’m talking about global warming and climate change as seen in unpredictable and extreme weather patterns and conditions. Strong typhoons, like Sendong, which ripped through Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities and other parts of Mindanao as well as Negros Oriental province have roused us to the terrible reality that the global threats spare no one.

The devastation from such a disaster should prod local government officials to formulate disaster mitigation policies and programs but unfortunately, it’s still politics as usual. In Cagayan de Oro for example, independent media has reported that the distribution of relief goods is being hampered by politicians who allegedly came up with a master list of typhoon victims, mostly partisans of a prominent government official. To think of politics at the height of disaster is sheer callousness, and I hope the people of Cagayan de Oro will have the good sense to reject this type of politicians in the next polls.

Former senator Richard Gordon, who is also the chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross has taken Malacañang to task for not taking steps to prevent the massive loss of lives, but unless he simply wants to draw attention, I think he is barking up the wrong tree.

Disaster prevention evolves from a national policy but on a day-to-day basis, it is a basic responsibility of local government units. The practical factors are obvious enough. Local officials are more familiar with the political and physical terrain of their localities. They also wield the influence that can move national government agencies to aid in disaster prevention.

For example, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau is supposed to supply LGUs nationwide with detailed geohazard maps to aid them in identifying and implementing disaster and risk management measures. However, according to reports, the MGB in Central Visayas has not yet completed the study. After Sendong, I think local governments should put the pressure on the agency.

The situation is no different in other regions. I read that LGUs in Western Visayas are using geohazard maps drawn in 2009, so it remains to be seen if old data would be useful in the present situation.