AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma on Tuesday said the government would check if it was true that some relief goods in Leyte were left to rot instead of being distributed to typhoon victims.
“Baka ang kailangan na lang diyan…ay alamin kung mayroong bang naging pagkukulang o kung meron bang lapses na naging sanhi na hindi naipamahagi o hindi naipasakamay ng mga dapat makatanggap ‘nung mga relief goods na ‘yon,” he said in a Palace press briefing.
(Perhaps what is needed…is to know if there were any shortcomings or lapses that was the reason behind why those relief goods were not distributed or received by intended beneficiaries.)
Media earlier relayed reports that rotten relief goods were being thrown out and buried in Leyte. Local authorities attributed the wastage to incessant rains but residents thought otherwise, the reports said.
Meanwhile, Coloma challenged those accusing the Department of Social Welfare and Development of bribing typhoon survivors to prove their claims.
“Tungkulin po namin ang magpatupad sa batas, protektahan ang kapakanan ng mga mamamayan, kaya kung sino man ang nagpaparatang na ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan ay taliwas doon, tungkulin din nilang magpakita ng kongkretong pruweba at hindi namang makatwirang dungisan ang karangalan ng sinumang opisyal na walang batayan,” he said.
(It is our job to implement the law, protect the welfare of the people, so anyone accusing the government of doing otherwise has the responsibility to show concrete evidence since it is unjust to question the honor of any official without basis.)
But Dr. Efleda Bautista, convenor of People’s Surge, stood by the reports they received that typhoon victims were being offered P1,200 each to sign a document saying they received relief aid from the government.
Bautista said it is the government that should check if they have people on the ground doing that.