“…Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock…” –Matthew 7:24-25

Susan Ople, daughter of the late Senator Blas F. Ople and head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, recently blasted what she called a “sorry lack of effective solutions” to the perennial flooding problem in Hagonoy, Bulacan. In a social media post, she wrote (in Tagalog): “In the past, flooding only occurred when there was a typhoon. Now, floods come rushing in even if a mere high tide hits Hagonoy. Until when will our people suffer? I have a plea for authorities: Please find a solution to the flooding which submerges not only Hagonoy but the entirety of Bulacan as well.”

I commiserate, of course, with Ople’s dismay but she and fellow town residents should realize solutions should also be sought from the private sector, which includes herself and everybody.

Everyone should be concerned because every Filipino is affected, in one way or another, by flooding.

Government is not capable of solving the flooding problem?

The real problem is not just the flooding itself, we can no longer expect effective solutions from the government. This is not meant to disparage elected officials, but they are fully aware floods come, whether it’s via typhoon or high tide. They know when rain falls, floodwaters are bound to rise, impacting low-lying areas across the country and causing untold suffering.

Flooding also carries dirt, trash, and waste from one place to another, causing many to get sick, and even die, from water-borne illness.

Clearly, everyone in government knows the effects associated with flooding, but nobody seems capable or is interested in protecting the citizenry.

Recognizing the spiritual angle

I ask Ople and her group to seriously consider another possible angle to solve the flooding problem, the “spiritual angle of rains, floods, and strong winds.”

The Bible warned of rains, floods, and strong winds coming and causing death and destruction. In the Old Testament, there is a prophecy that even discusses the destruction of the environment bringing forth global warming and climate change. Yet, despite all this, there is also a passage about a spiritual solution, where people must listen to God and obey His commands in order to overcome death and destruction.

If Filipinos listen to God and obey His commands, it is certain something good will come to them.

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FOR QUESTIONS, REACTIONS: If anyone would like to ask me any question about what the burning issues of the day mean, what we have discussed here, or to consult any problem, whatever it maybe, please call 0917-984-2468, email me at batasmauricio@yahoo.com, or post your concerns at facebook.com/attybatas. Promise, I will answer right away. Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!/WDJ