Visayan Quake caused more Damage.

     Latest news reports showed that the 6.9 quake that hit the Visayas Region in the Philippines inflicted more damage than what was earlier reported. A lot of bridges, roads and buildings were destroyed and the death toll now has risen to 26. Authorities feared more casualties as landslides were said to have buried a lot of people in far flung areas.

     In Negros Oriental alone, lots of people were believed to be buried alive by huge landslides triggered by the quake. They were settled at the foot of the mountains which smothered them when the soil was shaken loose by the tremor. Strong aftershocks are still frequently happening and thus quake experts warmed of more damages. There were many casualties and food, water and medicine were in shortage. Many of the survivors were in desperate need of basic commodities as most of the stores were closed due to damage of the quake or it simply ran out of stocks due to panicked rush of costumers. Supplies are not expected to arrive soon due to the heavily damaged roads and bridges.

     Some of the much needed aid are slowly getting through despite the bad weather and the heavily damaged roadways to the severely affected areas, which are mostly in far flung regions. Relief goods had to be carried manually by volunteers, which are mostly the townsfolk themselves across broken roads and bridges and even across swollen rivers and slippery mountain trails. Yes, the "Bayanihan Spirit", a traditional Filipino character of helping each other is very much alive and openly practiced during these difficult and trying times. Still, so much more is needed to be done and as quickly as possible before more problems occur like diseases and widespread hunger to those people devastated by the natural calamity.

     Let's hope that the Government would immediately help these people and not just sit on their asses while most of our countrymen are in dire straits. Instead of wasting precious time, money and effort on useless Impeachment Trials, these Government "gods" should concentrate on giving assistance to the poor quake victims. These Filipinos are in desperate need of help, all of us must do our best to pray and extend our support to them. May God help them in their darkest hours......