Lacson defends ‘snail-paced’ Yolanda rehabilitation
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson submits to President Aquino a copy of the master plan for the rehabilitation of areas hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” one of the world’s strongest typhoons on record. Titled “Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan,” it was like a gift to the President on the commemoration of the fifth death anniversary of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The government is neither “omnipotent” nor “superman” to immediately solve all the problems in areas hardly hit by Super Typhhon “Yolanda” last year, rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson said on Saturday.
Lacson made the remarks amid criticisms, especially from some people in Tacloban City, on the government’s alleged slow rehabilitation efforts.
Contrary to claims that government’s assistance has not reached the city, Lacson disclosed that it was even one of the areas that received the biggest financial help.
“Hindi totoo yun. Ang Tacloban City sila yung nakatanggap ng isa kung hindi man yung pinakamalaki na financial assistance sa pagpapagawa ng kanilang city hall, public market…” he said in an interview when asked if indeed the government has not extended assistance to the city.
“Katunayan ang natanggap na ng Tacloban so far maski wala pa yung approved na plano, P251 million. Yung ibang lugar like yung Guiuan, mga P101 million. Yung ibang lugar ganun din mas mababa pa…” said Lacson.
That was why the rehabilitation czar was wondering why there had been complaints and protests from Tacloban City out of the 171 cities and municipalities hardly hit by Yolanda.
“If you notice, galing kami sa Samar kaninang umaga, galing kami sa Guiuan kahapon, galing kami sa Tanuan. Lahat lng mga ibang ocal government units walang nagra-rally. Lahat ng kanilang commemoration ng Yolanda e para maka move forward, maka-move on…Bakit namumukod tangi ang Tacloban, may nagra-rally may nagrereklamo at para bang napakaraming issues na involved?” he asked.
“Tanunging natin ang mga sarili natin, bakit parating may reklamo sa Tacloban? Bakit sa ibang lugar wala naman tayong nakitang nagreklamo…” Lacson said, adding that in some areas, the mayors either belong to the opposition or not part of the Aquino administration.
The rehabilitation czar then urged Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo Romualdez, an opposition member, and other local government officials to set aside politics, and instead work with the government to help the Yolanda survivors.
“Magtulungan na lang sa halip na isipin yung pulitika. Unahin na muna natin ang kapakanan ng mga survivors… Humingi ka ng tulong, isipin mo ang kapakanan ng kababayan mo sa halip na sipin mo pa yung kalaban sa pulitika na baka hindi ka tulungan. We are there to help…” Lacson added.
“Now if the mayor or governor is not proactive enough, if the mayor or governor is not doing his homework, o kaya hindi nya ginagawa ang parte nya para ma rehabilitate, mahihirapan yung national government.”
“We are not omnipotent para makita namin ang lahat ng nangyayari. Ina-appreciate namin yung mga mayors na lumalapit sa amin para sabihin yung mga problema nila kasi hindi naman ito na para kang superman na malalaman namin yung lahat o isang ihip mo lang e tapos na lahat ng rehab. No. Rehabilitation work is a very tedious job specially so ang panawagan ng ating Presidente is build back better,” Lacson added.
