By Krizaine Cordero (DMC Eximius Editor-in-Chief)

Flashfloods, rainstorms and tsunamis – these are just a few of the phenomena that come unexpectedly and take away thousands of lives which could include ours and those of our loved ones.

Looking back, thousands have died here in the Philippines because of a catastrophe. And in May 1960, tsunamis killed almost over 1,000 in the Philippines and in other countries.

As we could see, these disasters are deadly dangerous. A recent example is what happened to the areas when Bagyong Ondoy and Pepeng hit Luzon. Many properties were damaged. Many people have lost their homes. Some have lost their loved ones. These disasters were foreseen but nobody acted. The killer disaster might have been lessened if there were trees to help in preventing the overflowing of rainwater. But what have we done? What have we done with our trees and Mother Nature?

There are surveys asking if who is to blame, the government or the people.

The government?

Perhaps, yes. Lawmakers have enacted laws to prevent and stop illegal logging but fail to implement them in some places. Indeed, it is very hard to implement such rules with very stubborn people around, people who do not even believe in them. When water dams were to be released after Bagyong Ondoy and Pepeng hit some areas in Luzon, the people were warned to evacuate because it could cause a massive flashflood, but did they listen? They did not. Maybe because authorities who told them so have no credibility whatsoever. Maybe they are just plain hard-headed.

The people?

Yes. They have contributed a lot. They are aware of these laws concerning illegala logging but these people, for some reason, still continue violate such law despite the continually rising incidents of landslides. It is proven true that trees hold the soil when the water tends to wash them away. But some people are too blind to see the fact. They cut trees and destroyed our forest.

Why can’t people understand the tremendous effects caused by illegal logging? How could they disregard the beauty that nature gives?

Some people might not understand but we must still have faith in God. We have to remember that God writes in sometimes straight and sometimes crooked ways, wherein it would be not understandable for all of us. We must not lose hope just because of a calamity. Instead, let us tell people in authority that it is never too late to do actions that would prepare us whenever the next calamity will happen, God forbid.

Indeed, that was God’s plan. He allowed that to happen for certain reasons. Definitely, one of those reasons is to give a hard lesson.

And we, as His students, when will we ever learn?