MANILA, Philippines – Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II on Wednesday said Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez could not be a “victim forever.”
“I sympathize with Mayor Romualdez because he is also a victim of Supertyphoon Yolanda like our people in the Visayas but he needs to stand up and lead the rehabilitation of his city. You cannot be a victim forever,” Roxas said.
Roxas said even the Mayor violated orders to evacuate residents from danger zones.
Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net
He added that after the onslaught of Yolanda, key government offices like the City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council, City Peace and Order Council and even the City Council have not met to discuss disaster response.
“All of us have a responsibility. If the Local Government says that they need help then we come in. But until now there is no formal letter yet from them,” he said.
The letter, according to Roxas, is a just for formality and should not be misconstrued.
He clarified that the letter was important to formalize the takeover on the city.
However, he said they would only take over on matters the city could not handle.
“This (letter) is important to avoid pin pointing on who should do the job,” he said.
He clarified the issue raised by Romualdez who quoted him as saying: “You are a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino.”
Roxas said he was taken out of context.
He mentioned that what he actually said butwhich he claimed was maliciously edited was, “You are a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino so he (Aquino) is very careful so as not to be misconstrued.”
He said that the governement was very careful in taking action so that it would not be accused of politicking.
Roxas assured that the Department of Interior and Local Goverment (DILG) and the national government would continue to aid in the rehabilitation of Visayas.
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