Robredo cites NDRRMC’s ’lack of urgency’ in responding to Ulysses-hit Cayagan

MANILA, Philippines — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had a “lack of urgency” in dispatching immediate relief to Cagayan residents affected by Typhoon Ulysses, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Saturday.

Robredo made the observation after she said she did not receive reports from the NDRRMC or state media regarding relief operations for Cagayan residents on Friday night.

“Kagabi kasi hindi natin nakita yung urgency galing sa NDRMMC […]

Walang idea kung nagkaroon ng tamang pre-disaster assessment.  Dapat na-ge-gauge na natin kung ano ang danger,” Robredo told ABS-CBN Teleradyo when asked about her assessment on Cagayan.

(Last night, I did not see urgency from NDRRMC. There was no idea if a proper pre-disaster assessment was made. We should by now, be able to gauge the danger that is coming.)

Apart from the typhoon’s impact, the lack of information from the government also caused distress on Cagayan residents, Robredo said.

“Para sa’kin, ang daming desperate kagabi. Ang daming natatakot, Iyong walang information from government, nakakadagdag pa,” she said.

(For me, a lot of people were desperate last night. Many were scared. The lack of information from the government also added to the desperation.)

“Iyong sa akin, iyong pinakamessage kahapon,  masabihan sana iyong tao na ‘natanggap namin reklamo na may ginagawa kami about it.’ ‘Help is coming.’ Iyon lang naman ang importante. Iyon ang importante, na-assure namin sa kanila na-ireport natin ito, papunta na sa inyo,” she went on.

(For me, the main lesson was to assure people that the government received their call for help and that help is coming, these are important.)

Massive flooding submerged several houses in the Cagayan region caused by heavy rainfall dumped by the typhoon.

READ: #CagayanNeedsHelp trends as netizens cry for help

/MUF