Under New Management?

In our disaster-prone nation, it's safe to say that the average Filipino has at least a passing familiarity on how to respond to a catastrophe. So see if you know the answer to this question.

There is a sudden natural disaster at your place of business, and lives may have been lost. Do you a) Inform the proper government agencies immediately; b) call on every available assistance to begin rescue operations, or c) prohibit media, government agencies and rescue teams from entering the disaster site for several hours?

If you answered a or b, then you do know what to do. But if you answered c then you might like to consider applying at the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), because this is exactly what their Mahiao power plant did after the landslide of March 1, 2013.

The death toll stands now at 15, yet the Aquino government is strangely silent. Considering that this is the season for grandstanding, this silence is even more telling. Yet just a few days ago the Senate called a hearing to investigate the Philex Mining tailings spill, an accident that happened almost a year ago and was hashed over repeatedly. Why are our politicians so vocal over old news but mum over this latest mishap?

Why are our officials, who utter the line there will be an investigation so often it's become a cliche, suddenly non-committal about the fact that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Energy gave the go-ahead for EDC to operate despite DENR's very own Mines and Geosciences Bureau stating that the ground surrounding the site was unstable, especially after heavy rains? What charm did the Lopezes (owners of EDC) cast to escape scrutiny despite heavy-handed moves that only delayed rescue and investigation?

And speaking of old news, what of the Lopez's Makati West Tower and its gas leak? Unlike Philex, this was never resolved, and the condomimium and surrounding Barangay Bangkal still reek of gasoline. Residents refuse to return, despite the owners' pleas for them to do so. (To give an illusion of resolution?) UP professor Dr. Carlo Arcilla noted that West Tower officials first denied any leak, then later admitted it when the signs were indisputable. 

Now hold this up next to their behavior at Mahiao.

And speaking of the Lopezes, what about Gina Lopez, head honcho of environmental group Bantay Kalikasan? You know: Those folks who jump on every perceived attack on the environment by big business.  Anyone with a molecule of integrity would say: "Yes, I know this is our family's power plant. But human lives and the environment are more important than anything else, so I can assure you we will pursue the truth." Even pitiful platitudes like that would have at least meant something. But not a word from Gina or her group. Or from Kalikasan PNE and their partylist. Are they related to the Lopezes in more than just a similarity of name?

Every day that the Aquino government stays mum on this is a spit on the face of Daang Matuwid. EDC must be fined to the hilt like they did other companies. The West Tower leak needs to be re-evaluated and re-investigated.

PNoy says we are his bosses. Well, sometimes I wonder if PNoy is under new management.