Atom slams Marcos’ ‘balde’ advice, urges solid action vs Super El Niño

MANILA, Philippines – Civil society group the August Twenty-One Movement (Atom) criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s suggestions to collect rainwater using bucket or “balde” in preparation for the Super El Niño, saying Filipinos need concrete solutions.

Earlier, Marcos called on Filipinos to prepare buckets and other containers to store rainwater as the government develops measures to mitigate potential water shortages during the anticipated Super El Niño.

READ: Marcos urges Filipinos to collect rainwater ahead of Super El Niño

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Marcos said the government would roll out an information drive to educate households on the proper methods of collecting, filtering, and treating rainwater for safe use.

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“Hirap na hirap na kami sa walang pakundangang taas ng gasolina linggo-linggo tapos makakabasa ka lamang ng ganitong klaseng solusyon mula sa Malacañang?” the civil society group said in a statement on Tuesday.

(We are struggling with the relentless rise in the cost of goods and unabated increases in fuel prices week after week, only to read this kind of proposed solution from Malacañang.)

“Hanggang dito lang ba talaga ang binabayad or kinakaltas na buwis mula sa mga pagod namin araw araw? Hirap na hirap na kami sa bilis ng taas ng bilihin,” added Atom.

(Is this really all we get in return for the taxes we pay or have deducted from our hard-earned wages every day?)

Atom criticized the proposal, saying it would force Filipinos to spend on buckets to collect rainwater, potentially creating mosquito breeding grounds and increasing the risk of dengue and other diseases. /jpv