Roxas to E. Visayas local execs: Go back to work

By: Jamie Elona - 11 years ago

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Jamie Elona/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Thursday called on local executives to return to work to maximize relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas hit by monster typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

“Yung mga councilors na nagsilikas, nanawagan ako sa inyo na magsibalik na at tulungan ang inyong nasasakupan,” Roxas said, as he reminded local officials of their sworn duty and responsibility to the people as election public officials.

He said local government units must convene their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) as the situation starts to improve.

“Local officials should come up with their respective rehabilitation plans in coordination with concerned national government agencies, particularly to address housing and resettlement challenges,” Roxas said.

Roxas is also the vice chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

DILG said Leyte and Samar provinces are areas with most damaged homes numbering about 26,598.

These areas account for almost 94 percent of the recorded fatalities totaling 3,982 as of the latest report of NDRRMC.

Meanwhile, as to the recent issue involving Roxas and the camp of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the Interior Secretary said he would not stoop down to the level of those who continue to sow intrigues to undermine the government’s relief efforts in typhoon-affected areas.

He earlier belied claims made by the camp of Romualdez that the he is muscling the official out of city hall.

So far, Roxas said 524,147 family food packs have been distributed by the government, including 192,975 liters of water and 58,876 units of high-energy biscuits.

A total of 1,306 vehicles, 104 sea craft and 163 aircraft and 27,532 units comprising of various equipment are operating in the field to fast track delivery of relief goods, clearing of debris, recovery and identification of cadavers for burial.

Government and private volunteers are working round-the-clock to reach all affected areas, Roxas said.

Foreign medical teams from Belgium, Japan, Germany, Australia, Hungary, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, USA, Korea, South Africa, France, Italy and Israel have also joined in providing medical assistance in strategic areas.