Susan Enriquez Breaks Silence on Flooding and Says Filipinos Should Not Be Abused for Being Resilient
SUSAN ENRIQUEZ – After communities once again found themselves battling prolonged flooding, Susan Enriquez delivered a message that struck at the heart of the country’s worsening flood crisis.
The call for more concrete and lasting solutions to the country’s flooding problem has once again gained attention after “Unang Hirit” host and GMA News journalist Susan Enriquez spoke about the struggles of Filipinos who have been dealing with floods for far too long.
Several areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, experienced days of heavy rain in August due to the southwest monsoon or habagat, along with the arrival of storms, including the most recent one identified as “PilandokPH.”
In a social media post on August 29, Enriquez pointed out that while Filipinos are often praised for being resilient during disasters and difficult circumstances, this strength should not be used as an excuse to leave communities repeatedly dealing with the same problems.
“Resilient daw ang mga Pinoy. Pero hindi naman dapat naaabuso dahil sa pagiging resilient,” she said.
Enriquez also highlighted how exhausting it can be for families who have been unable to return to a normal way of life because of persistent flooding.
“Nakakapagod din ang buhay nila na hindi na tinantanan ng baha.”
She further encouraged people to imagine themselves in the position of residents who have been struggling to escape the effects of flooding.
“Kung ikaw ba ang nasa katayuan ng mga kababayan natin na halos hindi na nakaahon sa baha, matutuwa ka ba?”
Her remarks came after her fellow “Unang Hirit” host Lyn Ching went viral for her report from Hagonoy, Bulacan. Ching personally showed viewers the difficult conditions faced by residents who have reportedly been living with prolonged flooding.
During her live report, Ching said some residents had endured flooding for around two years, with floodwaters reaching nearly waist level. She described the situation as a “new normal,” while stressing that such conditions should never be accepted as normal.
“This is the ‘new normal’ that should not be accepted because it really shouldn’t be this way, right?”
Ching also acknowledged the Filipino people’s ability to remain strong and even find reasons to laugh during hardships. However, she stressed that resilience should never become an excuse for authorities to ignore serious problems.
“We are resilient people. But that should not be an excuse for anyone, right?” she said.
She also made clear that there are moments when speaking out is necessary.
“Sometimes, you shouldn’t stay quiet. I’m done being nice.”
Ching later responded to critics online, explaining her perspective with blunt honesty.
“Guys I’m 53. More than Half my life is done,”
“If I can’t be honest Then i’d rather not speak. But if you ask me to talk, I can be polite Or i can be brutal. I’m too old for this sh*t,” she said.
READ ALSO: Matteo Guidicelli Defended By Susan Enriquez Against “Sakit ng ulo sa Unang Hirit” Comment
