It should be clear by now that a lot of adjustments have to be made not only by the government but by ordinary citizens as well to ensure that a similar calamity of this magnitude would not happen again.

First let’s see what we, ordinary citizens, can do. Here’s a list of random ideas.

• practice proper waste segregation
• practice proper waste disposal
• avoid indiscriminate waste disposal
• minimize production of greenhouse gases per household
• switch to compact flourescent light bulbs
• stop the practice of open burning of garbage
• keep waterways clear of trash and other debris
• embrace green technology
• do away with wasteful use of carbon fuels
• avoid using smoke-belching vehicles
• plant more trees
• maintain a garden
• be more aware of environmental issues, porblems and possible solutions
• help organize environment monitoring units in your community
• help organize disaster-risk management units in your community
• teach your children about taking care of the environment
• conserve electricity
• conserve water
• be your own community’s environment advocate
• be your neighbor’s environment guide
• demand meaningful legislation aimed at protecting the environment
• demand serious implementation of environmental laws

This list is by no means complete but it should be enough to show you that there are a lot of  simple things we can do to delay if not reverse the negative changes in the environment.

Now let’s see what the government can do. Again this is just a random list.

• initiate a massive information campaign aimed at educating EVERYONE about pro-environment measures that may be implemented per household
• review existing laws that may have direct or indirect impact on the protection of the environment
• improve the implementation of the Clean Air Act
• formulate better environmental laws
• ensure serious implementation of all laws
• support and promote green technologies
• increase the budget allocation of the Department of Science and Technology to cover research into green technologies
• seriously consider a phaseout of old, dilapidated and smoke belching jeepneys, buses and other public utility vehicles
• promote the use of bicycles
• re-align the budget for useless projects such as the RFID to the procurement of emergency equipment, vehicles, facilities
• initiate a re-engineering of drainage and flood control systems
• relocate communities situated in disaster-prone areas
• initiate massive reforestation

The sooner we see any of these ideas carried out the better. We should learn what we can from this experience and come up with ways to improve how we deal with calamities. That’s the logical thing to do.

The following comment made by a netizen named “makati girl” over at Pinoy Exchange should stress this point.

Nah, Filipinos are to blame. In Katrina it was faulty levees that caused the flooding. In Philippines it was clogged drainage due to garbage. Besides, of course it happens everywhere, but it happens more frequently in Philippines. In New Orleans it may have happened once but they will create measures for it not to happen again. Di tulad ng Pinoy nangyayari at nangyayari pa rin dahil ang Pinoy hindi nagtatanda.

Here are a few video clips of the devastation caused by Ondoy.

Floodwaters have yet to subside in many areas. Many people require assistance. Authorities say there is an urgent need for blankets, clothes, undergarments (preferably new and unused), ready to eat food and medicines. If you care to help please contact any of the following:

(list lifted from Pinoybuzz)

QUEZON CITY

UP College of Arts and Letters
Go to: College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
Hotline: 09296454102 (Prof. Roselle Pineda)
Look for: Guard on Duty (in UP CAL)
Operations: 24 hours until Wednesday tentatively

You can:
# Donate medicines, clothes, blankets, food to be distributed by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.

Erica Paredes
Go to: Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
(Call or text contact number for complete address) Contact #: 09174741930
Look for: Erica Paredes
Operations: Throughout the week tentatively, from 10 am to 6 pm

You can:
# Donate ready-to-eat foods like hard-boiled egg, bread, packed juice, sandwich filling
# Volunteer to prepare sandwiches and distribute goods

NoyMar Relief Operations – QC
Go to: Balay Expo Center, Farmers Market, Cubao or in White Space, Pasong Tamo Ext., Near BMW, Makati
Look for: Clare Amador or Jana Vicente
Hotlines: 09285205508, 09285205499, 0908-6579998, 0939-3633436, 9137122
Operations: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the week until further notice.
Website: www.marroxas.com

You can:
# Donate drinking water, old medicines, clothing, blankets, canned goods, noodles
# Volunteer to man stations and repack food.

Miriam Quiambao and World Vision Development Foundation
Go to: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood or at the World Vision office at 389 Quezon Avenue, corner West 6th St., Quezon City
Hotline: 0917-8623209
Look for: The guard in the lobby (on One Orchard Road)
Website: http://www.twitter.com/miriamq, www.worldvision.org.ph
Operations: Until Sept. 28, 2009 (Monday), 24-hour operation

You can:
# Donate goods like clothes, blankets, canned goods, crackers, mattress, hygiene kits, noodles, bottled water, oatmeal, instant coffee, sugar (for relief pack to be distributed by World Vision)
# Volunteer to help repack relief goods for World Vision starting today at 7pm
# Deposit cash donations to World Vision Development Foundation, BPI savings account number 4251002415 and BDO savings account number 270043411

Philippine Army
Go to: Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio, Makati or General Head Quarter’s Gym in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, EDSA, Quezon City
Hotline: 892-3417 (direct line), 845-9555 (trunkline) local. 6464 and 6466
Look for: Any personnel on duty
Operations: Ongoing everyday for 24 hours until further notice

You can:
# Donate relief goods (no cash)
# Call hotline for rescue, evacuation or relief assistance.
# Call to report missing persons

Papemelroti Gifts and Decorative Accessories
Go to: 91 Roces Ave., Corner Scout Tobias, Quezon City or mall branches in Ali Mall Cubao, SM City North EDSA, SM Fairview, SM Megamall, Glorietta 3 in Makati, SM Centerpoint, SM Southmall
Hotline: refer to website for individual branch numbers
Website: www.papemelroti.com
Operations: Mall hours (10am-9pm), ongoing everyday until further notice

You can:
# Donate goods like canned goods, clothings, blanket, cooking utensils and other relief goods EXCEPT cash.

Ateneo de Manila University Disaster Response Group
Go to: Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights , Quezon City, Manuel V. Pangilinan Building Center for Student Leadership Lobby, University Dorm Cervini Hall
Hotlines: 09089977166, 09178952792, 4266001 local 5050
Look for: Gio Tiongson, President, Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral
Website: www.ateneosanggu.com
Operations: 24-hour operations for the entire week

You can:
# Donate goods like bottled water, sardines, canned goods, candles, cup noodles.
# Volunteer to help repack relief goods, administer basic first aid.
# Report missing persons.
# Seek evacuation/temporary shelter at University Dorm Cervini Hall.

Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC)
Go To: 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City.
Hotlines: 9299820, 9299822
Operations: 8 a.m. onwards.

You can:
# Donate money, old clothes, blanket, bigas, munggo.
# Volunteer to help distribute goods.

Radio Veritas
Go To: Veritas Tower , West Ave. corner EDSA
Look For: Karla Turingan
Hotlines: 9257931 to 39, 0918VERITAS
Operations: 24-hours, tentatively until Tuesday.

You can:
# Donate old clothes, food, assorted goods, bottled water, cash.

Our Lady of Pentecost Parish
Go to: 12 F. dela Rosa cor. C. Salvador Streets, Loyola Heights , Quezon City
Hotlines: 632 4342397, 63 2 9290665
Operations: 7 a.m. till 10 p.m. Sunday, until further notice.

You Can:
# Donate packed meals, bottled water.

MAKATI/TAGUIG/MUNTINLUPA

Victory Fellowship – Fort Bonifacio
Go to: Victory Fellowship, Every Nation Building , across Market-Market, Fort Bonifacio
Look for: Pastor Bernard Marquez
Hotlines: 813-FORT, 8171212
Operations: Tentatively until 5pm, may may extend hours. Entire week until Friday.
Website: www.twitter.com/VictoryFort

You can:
# Donate canned goods, milk, bottled water, clothes, cash.
# Volunteer to help pack relief goods

Sacred Heart of Jesus Chaplaincy
Go to: Hillsborough Village, Cupang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila
Hotline: 8428148, 8079847
Look for: Genelyn Sembrano, Meanne Cuneta
Website: www.sacredheartofjesus-alabang.org
Operations: Tuesday-Sunday (Sept. 29-Oct 4). 8 am to 12 noon, 2 to 6 pm

You can:
# Donate water, blankets, shoes, clothes and other goods
# Donate in cash

PASIG CITY

LUZON RELIEF: Volunteer / Donate / Pray
Go to: Renaissance Fitness Center, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers, Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City
Hotline: 0929-8713488
Look for: Warren Habaluyas, co-founder
E-mail: luzonrelief@gmail.com
Operations: Monday to Saturday (Sept. 28-Oct. 3), 9am-7pm

You can:
# Donate non-perishable food items, beddings, pillows, blankets, clothes
# You can donate cash but it is not encouraged

- Compiled by Annalyn Ardoña and Patricia Faustino, GMA NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS