Caloocan priest’s letter of sorrow: ‘Dumadami ang patay na binabasbasan ko araw-araw’

MANILA, Philippines — The national government may be doing something to fight the ongoing pandemic, but it is simply not enough, a Catholic priest said in an open letter to the government as he lamented the increasing number of deaths due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Fr. Wilfredo M. Samson SJ of the Sacred Heart Mission Station in the Diocese of Caloocan expressed belief that the increase in deaths due to COVID-19 is due to the lack of a proper plan from the government in addressing the pandemic.

“Sa loob ng isang buwan, napansin ko ang pagdami ng mga patay na binabasbasan ko araw-araw. Hindi naman ganoon dito dati. Pero ramdam ko na may mali sa situwasyon,” Samson said in his open letter.

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“Maraming mga may sakit ang hindi pa dapat mamatay, ngunit dahil sa kakulangan ng ospital at gamot, marami sa kanila ang namamatay na lang sa bahay,” he added.

Respond calmly, hear out the public

In his open letter, Samson laid out several suggestions to the national government such as listening to the public and responding calmly to criticisms.

“Bakit po ba mahilig kayong sumagot ng pabalang o namimilosopo sa mga tanong o kritisismo ng mga tao? Sana po, seryosohin ninyo ang mga sagot sa tanong ng bayan. Huwag mainis,” Samson said.

“Ang pikon ay laging talo. Sagutin natin ng mahusay ang mga işyung kinakaharap. Mga edukadong tao po kayo, kaya’t inaasahan po namin na sasagutin ninyo kami ng maayos. Hindi po ninyo kami kalaban, kakampi po ninyo kami,” he added.

The government, Samson added, should likewise consult with other stakeholders such as the Church, non-government organizations, academic institutions, and medical associations, among others.

“May mabuting opinyon at kaalaman din ang iba. Ang sama-samang utak, malayo ang nararating. Wala pong mawawala sa inyo sa pag-konsulta, dito pa kayo makakakuha ng kaibigan at kasangga sa panahon ng pandemya,” Samson said.

‘Don’t inspire fear; be an inspiration’

Samson said the national government should not impose fear on the public, but rather become an inspiration and example.

He added that while the government is implementing measures to fight the pandemic, a lot more could still be done.

“Nakikita kong may ginagawa naman ang gobyerno. Pero super kulang. Hindi  sapat. Parang pampalubag-loob lamang. Parang sawsaw lamang sa problema,” Samson said.

“Palibhasa, hindi pa nagkakasakit ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Kaya’t hindi nila nakikita ang lalim ng krisis na ito,” he added.

The government, the priest said, should be “humble” and hear out the public in the current crisis, adding that government officials should think about the Filipinos first before themselves.

“Kailangan lang nilang itabi ang kayabangan (na tila alam nila ang lahat) at maging mapagkumbaba. Parami nang parami na ang nagugutom. Marami nang walang hanap-buhay,” Samson said.

‘Makonsensya naman kayo’

Further, Samson said that the government should help remove the public’s fear against the vaccines and be open to other medicines that would help fight COVID-19.

“Maaring mali ako. Pero may hinala akong sinasamantala ng iba ang krisis upang yumaman at magpakasasa. Huwag po. Maawa na po kayo. Makonsensiya naman kayo,” Samson said.

“Inilagay kayo sa posisyon ng taong-bayan upang paglingkuran ang lahat. Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan ay huwag mapikon. Ito po’y paalala sa mga nakalilimot na may Diyos,” he added.

The number of deaths in the country caused by COVID-19 surpassed the 14,000-mark after the Department of Health (DOH) logged 242 new fatalities on Wednesday. This brought the COVID-19 death toll to 14,059, according to the DOH’s daily case bulletin.

The DOH also logged 6,414 new infections, bringing the total of active cases to 158,701.

EDV