Saudi paper blames RP govt for ‘Ondoy’ tragedy

A Saudi Arabian newspaper on Wednesday criticized past and present Philippine administrations for their "shortsighted" cost-cutting policy that may have contributed to the tragedy caused by tropical storm Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) over the weekend. "Other countries have taken measures to deal with sudden flooding, installing storm drains. Unfortunately, successive governments in Manila have balked at the expense," said Arab News in its editorial titled "Manila's Misery." It added that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo "may well find that she and her officials are now blamed for that shortsighted policy." The editorial also described as "insufficient" President Arroyo's claim that the deluge was a “once-in-a-lifetime" storm. "This was a disaster not only because a month’s rain fell in just a few hours. Inadequate drainage played its part as well — and that is due to human failings," it said. The Philippines’ weather forecasting bureau had earlier said that the country's maximum annual rainfall is only 4,064 mm or 338.6 per month or 11.3 mm per day, noting that Ondoy’s 341-mm of rain in six hours was equivalent to more than 30 days of rainfall.
Like 'Katrina' The Arab News editorial likened the "Ondoy" tragedy to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the United States in 2005. It said that in 2005, Katrina was one of the deadliest in American history not because it was one of the strongest ever but because the levee system of dams failed. The failure of the dams was believed to be a result of inadequate maintenance caused by cost-cutting measures by the Bush administration. A total of 246 people have been confirmed dead as of Wednesday night due to Ondoy. Aside from the fatalities, thousands have been rendered homeless and are currently cramped in various evacuation shelters. The editorial urged Saudi authorities and people to be generous in extending aid to the Philippines. "This is the time to help — focusing not only on immediate needs such as food and clothing but on the long-term as well, helping the unfortunate victims rebuild their homes and lives. But a time will come — and soon — when harsh questions are asked," it said. - GMANews.TV