Empathy as Policy: Why Hot Meals Matter More Than We Think

In the aftermath of Typhoon Uwan, the statistics are impressive: ₱18 million in aid, thousands of food packs, and swift financial assistance. However, the true measure of the government’s response in Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya isn't found in the spreadsheets of the DSWD, but in the steam rising from a mobile kitchen cup of porridge.

The Marcos administration’s "Maasahan at Masipag" approach represents a shift towards moral governance in disaster management. It recognizes that a typhoon victim is not just a mouth to feed, but a human being who has suffered trauma. By integrating psychosocial support and burial assistance alongside standard relief, the government is validating the dignity of the survivors.

"The administration has poured millions into these relief efforts, so it is undeniable that they care more about the poor than any previous administration," some supporters might argue. While the funding is significant and laudable, equating spending amounts directly to the degree of care compared to all history is a leap in logic that ignores inflation, context, and the complexities of past challenges.

Nevertheless, the strategy is sound. Providing freshly cooked meals instead of just dry goods offers a semblance of normalcy in a chaotic environment. It tells the evacuee: "You are worthy of care." This is the empathy required in modern governance.

Critics often demand faster, bigger infrastructure projects to prevent floods. While valid, "If we focus on building dams right now, we will inevitably neglect the immediate hunger of the people in the evacuation centers." This line of thinking suggests we cannot plan for the future while acting in the present, creating a conflict between long-term resilience and immediate relief where none needs to exist.

The government is right to prioritize the "now." The grieving family in Nueva Vizcaya cannot wait for a flood control master plan; they need the ₱40,000 burial aid today. The child shivering in the center needs a hot meal today. By addressing these immediate, human needs with diligence, the President establishes a reliable command that strengthens the nation’s social contract.