© Bisnar
Typhoon Rolly has currently affected the lives of many Filipinos— leaving well-established infrastructures damaged, property and lands submerged, numerous people homeless, and many lives displaced as the rates of seriously injured and deceased residents continue to arise. According to the record published by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) from the impacts of super typhoon Rolly last November, 24 million people severely affected and more than 846 thousand people in need of assistance. As reported by OCHA (2020) typhoon Goni caused major damages to health facilities, schools and essential services that reached PHP 11.3 billion. Because of the heavily damaged health facilities, COVID-19 testing in Bicol was suspended.
The aftermath of the calamity caused many fundraising projects and donation drives to boom in response to help those heavily affected by the recent typhoon. The effects of the crisis spread across social media through public posts by numerous Netizens to raise awareness of stories of residents pleading for rescue and urgent relief. Among these public posts were stories that touched on “Filipino resilience” that allegedly received an overwhelming amount of backlash and pushback by Netizens.
As a country that faces countless calamities each year, in times of despair and disaster, victims of these crises must be responded with an urgent call to action and not empowered through sugar-coated and absurd labels that insensitively erase human suffering from their situation. Fake positivity is a common notion that is being thrown left and right in hopes of generating praise to lighten the blow of devastating events that affect thousands upon thousands of Filipinos each year. This is where the narrative of “Filipino resiliency” becomes problematic; thus, rapidly caught the attention of most Netizens.
Demands for accountability and urgent action are homogenized reactions of Netizens that went viral on social media across the country, as they exploit the glorification of “Filipino resiliency.” The response and presence of government officials were questioned, as many residents were left unattended, given little to no calls for rescue with regards to their situations. Through the past years, in the context of the aftermath of natural disasters experienced by several citizens, “Filipino resilience” is the narrative that often bombards the internet. This is a commonly imposed notion to heavily affected Filipinos, and their ability to overcome and surpass numerous disastrous events that hit the country each year— has now become more controversial than ever.
According to Gab Mejia, a Manila Times reporter, the country never backed itself up through the socioeconomic impacts of ill-preparedness, negligence, incompetence, and lack of urgent responsiveness of government officials and agencies such as NDRRMC or National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council due to the “lack of funds.”
In light of the viral controversy, should we still continue to glorify the misery and human suffering experienced by thousands of displaced Filipinos as we fail to see the reality and gravity of their situations? It is easy for many to blurt out words of praise and fake positivity by those in favor of their privileges. We romanticize that there is actual suffering, that in turn, widens the gap between communities and individuals to reach out for immediate help and aid. It is sickening—the countless praises being thrown around to those that have it worse and most especially ones who do not make it, caused by the failure of the government to respond to their urgent needs for rescue. Because of the controversial narrative, many deem waist to neck high floods, the overwhelmingly strong current of flash floods, drowning of domesticated animals, and wreckage caused by uprooted trees and landslides to be customary to the eyes of the public, knowing that Filipinos are able to rise again despite the traumatizing and life-threatening crisis they may face due to the “resilience” they so hold.
Other local government officials would perceive “Filipino resiliency” to be at a positive issue. Insisting that, indeed, this matter is something that must be a trait that is highly encouraged to be seen with every single Filipino-- ducking and diving through every trial, struggle, and misery. It is what makes Filipino have their identity, to persevere through all the calamities that naturally come their way. However, despite all the praise and positive feedback that these victims receive from government officials, Netizens still are unshaken by their stand on changing the narrative and demands for accountability.
Dehumanizing their misery is a problematic excuse to undermine the real issues that need to be addressed with urgency accompanied by efficient solutions and actions. Taking responsibility and accountability in acknowledging those victims should not be asked in near-death desperation by displaced Filipinos in suffering. It must be an utmost priority and instinct to provide them with the rescue and help they rightfully need. Moreover, this should be a wake-up call for the government to recalibrate their system and policies towards global health and environmental crises that occur nationwide. Time and time again, Filipinos have had enough of the government’s lack of urgent response and shortcomings, as they continue to shamelessly fail even to accomplish the bare minimum of what is expected of them to do in their positions.
Tanggol states that: “We should challenge the dominant narrative by promoting a discourse beyond resiliency as a virtue.”
We shall continue to open our eyes to the many Filipinos in despair and in need of help to execute actions that are just and appropriate, given their unfortunate situations. Taking accountability and action are some of the few ways to rise as one inclusive community that gears towards development and progression in society.
As Filipinos, we deserve better. A nation that cares just as equally as its commitment to immediate response and action reflects a competent and efficient government with genuine compassion for its people— to ensure that no one is left behind.
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