FIRST, the killer cyclone in Burma, then the powerful earthquake in China. What’s next? Mother Nature is unleashing her fury and man seems helpless against it. It seems, too, that God is using His awesome powers to punish man for his sins. Thousands have died and thousands more are still missing.

In the face of such devastation, the Arroyo administration is preparing an outlay of some P100 million to improve the country’s disaster-preparedness capabilities to cope with Nature’s anger and, hopefully, save lives. The plan is actually a continuation of Project Ready with the help of the United Nations Development Programme and the Australian Agency for International Development. The government is specifically concerned with our vulnerability to natural disasters like typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Aren’t you glad she’s on the job?

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We salute Gen. Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. for doing an excellent job as Armed Forces chief of staff, characterized by his intelligent and pragmatic handling of the restlessness of some misguided officers—as in the Manila Pen incident—and his sincere efforts to improve the lot of soldiers. We are confident his successor, Lt. Gen. Alexander B. Yano, will continue the initiatives of his predecessor with balanced concerns for the nation, the people and the men in uniform. Being the first AFP chief of staff from the troubled but beautiful island of Mindanao, we support General Yano in all his programs, especially in netting some big fish from his backyard and setting the tone of his stewardship. We know the President has chosen a most capable manager and an able and patriotic soldier.

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Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye is moving to the Monetary Board on June 22. A professional banker, Bunye is returning to that serene and regimented life of high-profile finance, away from the intrigues, the “snake pit,” the pressure world of high-end politics. Bunye had much to offer as the press secretary, and he has done his job so well that one forgets he is actually a banker. The President’s Team’s loss, but the Monetary Board’s gain, he will always continue to give his best.

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More unanswered questions: Is it true that the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) offices consume more than 70 million kilowatt-hours and that the firm does not pay its power consumption but merely passes it on to consumers as part of its “system losses”? Meralco’s “savings” from this, of course, fatten its coffers, enabling it to pamper its executives with fat salaries and bonuses, luxury cars, foreign travel and all the perks from a business with profits overflowing. What about the sister companies of Meralco? Are they also passing on their electric bills to the poor consumers?

And how true is this documents-supported allegation that Meralco is charging its consumers bloated value-added tax (VAT) from 23 percent to 39 percent, which Meralco is not paying because it is exempt from VAT? This represents billions of pesos collected from consumers every month over and above the electricity each household uses. And if you don’t pay the bill on time, the Meralco man will come to cut off your power. Where does the money go?

For the sake of decency, I agree with some senators that Meralco should return to its consumers the millions of pesos it had wrongfully charged. Meralco should pay for the electricity it used and not let the poor housewife foot the bill. Nakakahiya. Meralco should stop the practice altogether.

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