While the blogosphere has been abuzz the past few days with those who would seek to criticize and blame, now is not the time to point fingers! The time for accountability will come to pass in due course. Instead of using the Web to spread dissent during this critical time where people are still in need, let us all focus our online efforts to support the causes of those who wish to alleviate the pain and destruction left in Ondoy’s aftermath and prepare those for the stormy days ahead.
Even residents of Metro Manila have turned to social networking and blogging to help rescue neighbors and friends from the destructive onslaught of typhoon “Ondoy”. On the micro-blogging site Twitter, maps of areas where stranded victims have yet to be rescued became accessible. Others used their Facebook accounts to inform relatives and friends of their conditions, accessed from their offices, homes or through their mobile phones. Several helpful blogs such as PinoyBuzz, Pedestrian Observer, Barrio Siete and Filipino Voices, showed how the community could send donations to the Philippines National Red Cross.
Super-Typhoon Pepeng is just around the corner and we implore bloggers to stop the bickering and unite in helping our fellowmen. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), at 4:00 a.m. today, super typhoon "PEPENG" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 650 kms East of Borongan, Eastern Samar (11.5°N, 132.1°E) with maximum sustained winds of up to 185 kph.
