oh, come on!

But Defensor, the former environment secretary, said the government should not be held accountable for failing to anticipate disasters.

"The government is doing its best under the circumstances," he said. "We cannot relocate everyone at the same time, but measures can be put in place. And this can be done as soon as possible."

This link on the Leyte landslide from Rowie.

Hoy, Defensor! Isa kang dakilang bobo. Magsama kayo ni Angie Reyes (bwisit at katukayo ko pa!). Multuhin sana kayo ng lahat ng namatay sa mga landslide sa nagdaang sampung taon.

If that was the government's best, then there is absolutely no hope for this country. The foundation I'm working for is doing a waaaaay better job than you are, with barely a percentage of the money you are pocketing.

Grrrr.

Neal Cruz's and Michael Tan's articles on today's Inquirer echoes most of my sentiments about this entire landslide issue.

And I'm glad the Ateneo Alumni Office is planning exactly what I was trying to say yesterday. Though relief is important at this point, rehabilitation would have more far-reaching and permanent approach to the problem.

Here is the entire e-mail from Jun Dalandan. If you are interested to support the program, please don't hesitate to do so.

Ateneo/SLB Task Force Noah: Operation Southern Leyte

to shift to Rehabilitation

in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga: Leyte

On February 17, 2006, a massive landslide buried the people of Guinsaugon in Southern Leyte under tons of mud, rocks and debris. The more than 1,800 residents who disappeared and are presumed dead comprise almost the entire population of the once peaceful farming village. What is now left of the place is a vast expanse of mud, and a handful of grieving survivors. Nothing much awaits relief efforts.

However, a few thousand residents of neighboring villages, and the few residents of Guinsaugon who survived, remain at risk. Their area has previously been declared a geo-hazard zone. People should not inhabit the place at all.

The thousands displaced do not just need relief -- rice, noodles and sardines - they need rehabilitation -- a more suitable place to live in, and new means of earning a living. They need to find life again.

The Ateneo de Manila University's joint effort with Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, the Task Force Noah: Operation Southern Leyte is now shifting efforts from immediate relief operations to the longer term rehabilitation of Guinsaugon and the other affected barangays of St. Bernard, Leyte.

This phase will be undertaken in partnership with Gawad: Kalinga, the organization set up by private individuals now known nationally and internationally for its successful efforts in providing housing, livelihood and a new life to thousands of poor Filipinos.

Gawad Kalinga: Leyte is a call to all people of good will and good fortune – to share their blessings to the less fortunate, to be part of their struggle to once again find life.

Starting Wednesday, February 22,

Please send your donations directly to

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Gawad Kalinga National Office

Direct Deposit to BPI:

Current PESO Account: 3101-0973-22

Current DOLLAR Account: 3104-0162-34

Account name: Gawad Kalinga Leyte,

BPI Greenhills branch

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IMPORTANT: For Proper Crediting of your Donation to the GK Leyte Fund

(The bank does not provide us your name):

Please FAX a photocopy of your bank deposit slip to the Ateneo Gawad Kalinga office, fax number 63-2-426-5693 (Please be sure this information is legible on the fax) OR EMAIL the following information to: slimuaco@ateneo.edu:

(a) Your name, address, and telephone number,

(b) The deposit amount and date

(c) That the donation is for “GK Leyte Rehabilitation”

(d) How you remitted the donation (direct deposit, bank-to-bank, etc.)

You may also donate in person directly at the Ateneo Gawad Kalinga office, 3rd Floor, Hoeffner Social Training Center, Telephone No.: 426-6001 loc 5024

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Members of the Ateneo community and other concerned citizens,
can still donate through Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan

• The Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan will continue to receive cash and check donations at the Loyola House of Studies Frontdesk from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm,

or

Direct Deposit to SLB account:

PESO Account: 3081-1111-61

Account name: Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.

Please make checks payable to Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.

• You may also give your cash or check donations at Window 16A, Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs (ADSA), Xavier Hall, AdMU, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

IMPORTANT: For Proper Crediting of your Donation to Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan
(The bank does not provide us your name):

Please FAX a photocopy of your bank deposit slip to the Office of University Development, fax number 63-2-426-6080 (Please be sure this information is legible on the fax) OR EMAIL the following information to the Office of Student Affairs, Rene San Andres, rsanandres@ateneo.edu:

(a) Your name, address, and telephone number,

(b) The deposit amount and date

(c) That the donation is for the “GK Leyte Rehabilitation”

(d) How you remitted the donation (direct deposit, bank-to-bank, etc.)

Thank you.
Jun Dalandan