Aquino orders gov’t agencies to submit full report on disaster

MANILA, Philippines—On the eve of his visit to storm-ravaged cities in Mindanao and Visayas, President Aquino ordered all concerned government agencies like the weather bureau to submit a comprehensive report on what they have done before and after the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Sendong.”

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Monday the President wanted a comprehensive report of all agencies concerned following the disastrous floods that killed over 700 in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities and other areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

Lacierda said that all appropriate agencies were asked to account for what they have done for the past three days. He said the President had received updates from agencies on the storm.

Asked whether the President will use the report to look into who should be held accountable for the massive deaths, the presidential spokesperson said it was better to wait for the report.

This as Lacierda asked Kabataan party-list Representative Ramon Palatino not to politicize the tragedy in Mindanao after the lawmaker blamed the President for government’s preparations for Sendong due to the Chief Executive’s veto of a provision in the 2011 national budget that allocates funds for pre-disaster activities.

Lacierda stressed that the government has specific funds for government preparedness.

“I would like to ask Congressman Palatino, now is not the time to point fingers. Now is the time help in the tragic incident in Mindanao,” he told reporters.

Lacierda said the President will visit Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete cities Tuesday to listen to updates, inspect the damage and provide relief goods to the flood victims.

“He wanted to visit as early as (Sunday),” he said but was advised by the Department of National Defense to make the visit on Tuesday instead.