By Alex P. Vidal
“Climate change is a global problem. The planet is warming because of the growing level of greenhouse gas emissions from human activity. If this trend continues, truly catastrophic consequences are likely to ensue from rising sea levels, to reduced water availability, to more heat waves and fires.”—Malcolm Turnbull
ALTHOUGH it’s better than nothing at all, it’s still too early for the Ilonggos to rejoice after the “National Greed Corporation” has reportedly assured Iloilo city and provincial officials it would restore power supply “100 percent” in Panay Island starting April 30, 2023 (let’s hope that by “100 percent” the year was right).
Restore it did, but the specter of power interruptions reportedly continued to hound the Ilonggos after the harrowing and traumatizing “four days in hell” over the week, where Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas was nearly compelled to declare a state of emergency in Iloilo City and forcing lone district Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda to storm the Bastille and threatening to call for a House inquiry.
All the Ilonggos can do now is heave a sigh of relief after being informed by Uswag Parylist Rep. James “Jojo” Ang of the “National Greed Corporation’s” supposed commitment to end the torments of the frazzled Panay Island power consumers.
But let’s not be misled by words of commitment and implementation.
Sometimes a “commitment” is made to temporarily dodge the people’s wrath.
“Implementation” doesn’t need a high falutin explanation.
Just do it.
-o0o-
People all over the Philippines are melting like ice cubes owing to the abnormal summer heat wave. Even animals are being crucified in hell by nature’s savagery.
The last thing the country’s authorities in power industry can do is make unannounced—and sometimes unjustified—power interruptions and let the monster heat fry the people in the summer cauldron and destroy the local economy.
Unannounced power interruptions are considered a mortal sin in today’s age where communication and technology is at dizzying pace; and especially that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has been tasked to ensure that the country’s transmission assets are “in optimal condition to convey safe, quality, and reliable electricity.”
And that NGCP is supposed to do this through “regular inspection and repair of lines and substations, clearing of Right-of-Way obstructions, and timely restoration during and after natural disasters.”
-o0o-
WRONG CHOICE OF WORDS. Let us not call the self-proclaimed spiritual messiahs who promise to bring us to paradise as neurotics: they merely need “professional advice.” Let us not call politicians who promise to liberate us from poverty as public servants: they are “comedians.”
FOOLS KNOW NOTHING. The fool who thinks he knows everything will soon come to a realization that he actually knows little or nothing at all. The wise doesn’t need to brag about what he knows. He feigns ignorance in order to broaden his perspectives and erudition.
ALL IN THE NAME OF RELIGION. During the 20th Century 110 million people were killed by their own kind in 250 wars–mostly religious wars in the name of sectarian “gods.” Casualties of religious battles had been dumped in the biggest killing fields in the world.
PERFECT VIEW. A man burdened with life’s trials and hardships asked God, “Why so many hills and mountains to climb in life?” God answered him, “For you to have a better view.”
PATH OF NATURE. To be of few words and to be of many actions is to follow the path of nature.
LET US ALL STAND. Research reveals that people who sit for long stretches may be twice as likely to develop chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer–even if they exercise. “Standing not only burns more calories, it also stimulates the circulation of a dietary fat-absorbing enzyme called lipoprotein lipase,” says Barbara Ainsworth, Ph.D., a professor of exercise and wellness at Arizona State University.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)
