Secretary Panfilo Lacson. KRISTINE SABILLO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – After announcing that everything was right on track when it comes to the rehabilitation of typhoon “Yolanda”-hit areas, Secretary Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday admitted that he was frustrated with the limitations of his job and with some Cabinet members he worked with.
“Talagang frustrated ako (I am really frustrated),” Lacson told a reporter during a Palace press briefing.
He said he wanted to do many things and do it fast but “that’s not within my authority to get things done the way it must be done,” as he is limited by his mandate under Memorandum Order no. 62, which created the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery.
“Kung may implementing power ako, siguro nagpapagawa na ako doon (If I had implementing power, perhaps I already ordered construction in the area),” he said, pointing out that his work is only in terms of coordination.
Lacson said in other countries, the rehabilitation czar has the authority to implement, and not just coordinate with implementing agencies like what his mandate provides.
The former senator also revealed there were two or three fellow secretaries who have been giving him a hard time because they were not coordinating with him.
“Merong mangilan-ngilan na deadma. Parang walang pakialam (There are some who seem apathetic. Like they don’t care),” he said.
He refused to name the two or three officials who were not responding to his official communications or calls.
“Of course we try to understand how busy they are. Pero ito calamity ito eh (But we’re dealing with a calamity),” he added.
He said he now only has a problem with the two Cabinet members since the third one had somehow changed or improved.
He said he will raise the issue with Pres. Benigno Aquino III, though he prefers to resolve the problem within the Cabinet.
Despite these impediments, the rehabilitation process continues, he said.
He said he is hoping that Congress would approve bills establishing a permanent institution on relief and rehabilitation to ensure that future disasters will be appropriately addressed.
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