The Disaster Cycle

Here is the sequence of events that follows every disaster (natural, man-made, or otherwise) that strikes the Philippines:

1. Disaster strikes, resulting in loss of life. The tragedy gives new meaning to the term "senseless deaths."

2. The media rush to the area to give the whole world a front-row seat to the tragedy. The ratings of news programs shoot up.

3. The government sends rescue teams to look for survivors.

4. Public officials express sympathy and condole with the families of the victims; the country is asked to pray for those affected.

5. Assistance pours in from other countries, well-meaning institutions, and good samaritans.

6. The Blame Game is played. Government officials and individuals involved point fingers at everyone except themselves.

7. Congress holds hearings; an "investigation in aid of legislation" is conducted. Questions with obvious answers are asked. Sound bites are delivered.

8. "Punishment" is meted out to the "guilty" parties-- those supposedly responsible, one way or the other, for the tragedy. Their "guilt," however, isn't so much the result of the "evidence" on hand; rather, it is determined by the strength (or lack thereof) of the party's (or parties') ties to the powers-that-be.

9. An unenforceable, inutile law or regulation is enacted, with the end in view of avoiding a repeat of the said tragedy.

10. The tragedy is slowly erased from the public's short memory. Tragedy strikes again. Return to # 1 of The Disaster Cycle.