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Tacloban returning to some kind of normality?

Discussion in 'News from The Philippines' started by Timmers, Nov 8, 2014.

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  1. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I was reading a news article today suggesting that Tacloban is returning to some kind of normality after Typhoon Haiyan.

    What really caught my eye was the headline "the smiling mask" suggesting that the people of Tacloban are still smiling although they are hiding lots of pain.

    One of the best things to see in the Philippines is that beautiful smile worn by so many.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29947487
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2014
    Timmers, Nov 8, 2014
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  2. Aromulus
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    Aromulus The Don Staff Member

    What still rankles with me is the blatant stealing and diverting of international aid to private pockets....
    And I am still waiting for the president to aknowledge the millions in private donations to the disaster fund with just a" thank you Britain".
    Guess I will have to hold my breath for longer...
    Aromulus, Nov 8, 2014
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  3. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I agree, the syphoning of funds meant for the people in real need seems to happen not just in the Philippines but wherever international funds are given anywhere in the world. There needs to be some real accountability, maybe an outside body should be put in charge of the funds, not the country receiving them.

    I would personally like to see the Philippines give thanks to the countries that supported them by giving some kind of pop and culture concert, not only to thank people for their generosity but to put them on the world stage.
    Timmers, Nov 8, 2014
    #3
  4. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I also read in the news article that Pope Francis is rumoured to be visiting Tacloban in the New Year, they will just love that and it can only help with the healing process.
    Timmers, Nov 8, 2014
    #4
  5. walesrob
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    walesrob Administrator Staff Member

    Hmm, let me tell you about the fun we've had trying to get the insurance to pay up for the damage to our house just outside Tacloban. The insurance company insisted WE pay for the damage caused by the typhoon, and they release the money later. Well, the roof was fixed 8 months ago, and only this week they released only 16,000Php. Now they are insisting we repaint the whole house before the next payment, which will probably be in 2017? Who knows! Any idea what kind of insurance this is?

    So, on the surface, things might look good, but underneath, its business as usual, various corrupt officials are working overtime diverting money.
    walesrob, Nov 8, 2014
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  6. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Its not a good situation you are in at all, what's the point of having insurance if you have to pay for the damage yourself? I suspect there will be a bit of wrangling when they do finally cough up.
    Timmers, Nov 8, 2014
    #6
  7. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Rob who was the insurer?

    I hope it is not one of the big international companies acting like that in the Philippines, although to be honest I can't find any of the big names that offer property insurance over there?
    oss, Nov 8, 2014
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  8. walesrob
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    walesrob Administrator Staff Member

    Its all tied in with the Pag-Ibig loan we have on the house - I'll have to find out.

    What annoys me most is how the insurance company keep coming up with spurious requests before releasing the money, but apparently its normal in the Philippines, which leads me back to how various corrupt officials are milking this for personal gain, especially when they know Elsa and I live the UK. Even in times of disaster, the corrupt don't stop, in fact they are just as busy.
    walesrob, Nov 8, 2014
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  9. Aromulus
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    Aromulus The Don Staff Member

    No my friend............ They are "busier"
    Aromulus, Nov 8, 2014
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  10. Dave_E
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    Dave_E Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I have read a couple of reports recently, stating that plans are afoot to permanently close Tacloban airport and re-locate it to Palo.

    link >> Aquino to close Tacloban airport
    Dave_E, Nov 10, 2014
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  11. Maharg
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    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member


    My wife was complaining about this yesterday. She reckons it's Aquino wanting an airport named after himself instead of the Marcos connections with the current one.

    Why spend money on an airport when people there are still trying to get back on their feet?
    Maharg, Nov 10, 2014
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  12. walesrob
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    walesrob Administrator Staff Member

    Makes sense - Palo has plenty of land available and is located next to major highways. Tacloban's DMZ airport has limited space available for expansion and is a pain to get to by road.

    But whether anything actually happens is another thing. Theres been many promises of expanding DMZ and/or giving it a makeover in the past, but it all came to nothing.
    walesrob, Nov 10, 2014
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  13. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    That is why I sent money direct to my wife's family, Dom.
    My wife's mother distributed this amongst her neighbours.
    aposhark, Nov 10, 2014
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  14. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Stalling tactics, Rob.
    Do you know anyone else who lives in Phils with the same insurance company?
    aposhark, Nov 10, 2014
    #14
  15. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Any true President should put the local economy and the need of their people before their ego.
    Timmers, Nov 10, 2014
    #15
  16. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Good of the Mother in Law to do that Mike, good to hear of somebody who shares in time of need.

    I know you probably wanted the money to go to your own family but it was an extremely thoughtful thing to do on her part.
    Timmers, Nov 10, 2014
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  17. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I expect that when the typhoon hit Tacloban there was a lot of spirit shown by the people similar to the Blitz in London in WW2, however the headlines seem to have been dominated by relief money being syphoned and stories of looting.
    Timmers, Nov 10, 2014
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  18. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    It wasn't quite like that, Timmers.
    I wanted to help people on the island and asked my wife the best way to do it.
    She told me her Mum would take care of things and her Mum did.

    I am amazed a times by the fortitude of Filipinas.
    aposhark, Nov 10, 2014
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  19. walesrob
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    walesrob Administrator Staff Member

    There's no doubt about that.

    Manila could have done a lot more, but it seems Tacloban was heavily reliant upon foreign aid, whilst the local officials did their best to milk it.

    As I said in a previous thread about the disaster, when it all happened, Nanay and Tatay were told they couldn't have any food because "they didn't vote for the barangy captain, and anyway, theres a lot of foreigners living in the subdivision, so they didn't apparently need any aid". Its as if the subdivision was awash with food already, like there was a secret bunker full of it.
    walesrob, Nov 10, 2014
    #19
  20. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Just shows us how ridiculous things are there sometimes if you have to vote for the person holding the food and purse strings.

    Surely, common compassion should raise its head in times like these, its sad to hear what really went on.
    Timmers, Nov 10, 2014
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