Earthquakes, Evasion, and the Politics of Panic
In recent weeks, a palpable unease has crept into public consciousness here in Luzon. Anxiety about earthquakes is mounting, and with it, the ominous phrase “The Big One” has reentered the national lexicon with theatrical force. It’s only natural that people respond with apprehension. After all, the specter of a catastrophic quake is no small matter. And to be fair, it is commendable when a government urges its citizens to prepare for such a seismic threat. Proactive disaster readiness can save lives.
But timing, as always, is everything.
It’s difficult to ignore how conveniently this surge in earthquake preparedness coincides with growing scrutiny over unresolved flood control anomalies and alleged budget insertions. When the political machinery begins to sputter, or when diversions run dry and public attention threatens to settle on uncomfortable truths, what better way to redirect the national gaze than with the looming threat of tectonic devastation?
Yes, “The Big One” may indeed strike within this century. Some point to a 400-year cycle, noting that the last major quake to devastate Luzon occurred in 1658, and speculate that 2058 could mark its grim return. Still a long, long time to go, and some of these crooks might have already be dead when it happens. Such predictions, while intriguing, are not certainties. Earthquakes do not follow calendars. We are not guaranteed safety until that date, nor are we guaranteed disaster on it. What we do need, urgently, is clear, science-based information, not fear-based theater.
Today, all classes here in Cavite were suspended nationwide in preparation for “The Big One,” following an order from the DILG Secretary. On the surface, this appears to be a prudent drill. But again, the timing is uncanny. Stir public fear just as investigations begin to close in on a high-profile figure suspected of corruption, and who had suddenly become a state witness. Expectedly, the national conversation shifts. By the time the dust settles, figuratively or literally, the headlines may have moved on, and accountability may have quietly slipped through the cracks. All the suspected politicians will be proven innocent, and corruption will continue as if nothing happened.
To be clear, I’m not claiming to have all the facts. This is simply my observation and my opinion. But in a country where calamity and corruption often dance in tandem, it’s worth asking: are we being prepared, or are we being played?
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