Lacson defends ‘snail-paced’ Yolanda rehabilitation

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson submits to President Aquino a copy of the master plan for the rehabilitation of areas hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” one of the world’s strongest typhoons on record. Titled “Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan,” it was like a gift to the President on the commemoration of the fifth death anniversary of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The government  is neither “omnipotent”  nor  “superman”  to immediately solve all the problems in areas hardly hit by Super Typhhon “Yolanda” last year, rehabilitation  czar  Panfilo Lacson  said on Saturday.

Lacson  made the remarks  amid  criticisms, especially from  some people  in Tacloban City,  on the government’s  alleged slow rehabilitation efforts.

Contrary to claims that government’s assistance has not reached the city,  Lacson   disclosed that it was  even one of the areas  that received the  biggest financial help.

“Hindi totoo yun. Ang Tacloban City sila yung nakatanggap ng isa kung hindi man yung pinakamalaki na financial assistance sa pagpapagawa ng kanilang city hall, public market…” he said in an interview when asked if indeed the government  has not extended  assistance to the city.

“Katunayan ang natanggap na ng Tacloban so far maski wala pa yung approved na plano, P251 million. Yung ibang lugar like yung Guiuan, mga P101 million. Yung ibang lugar ganun din mas mababa pa…”  said Lacson.

That was  why the rehabilitation  czar was wondering  why there had been  complaints and  protests from  Tacloban City out of the 171  cities and  municipalities hardly  hit by  Yolanda.

“If you notice, galing kami sa Samar kaninang umaga, galing kami sa Guiuan kahapon, galing kami sa Tanuan. Lahat  lng mga ibang ocal government units walang nagra-rally. Lahat ng kanilang commemoration ng Yolanda e para maka move forward, maka-move on…Bakit namumukod tangi ang Tacloban, may nagra-rally may nagrereklamo at para bang napakaraming issues na involved?”  he asked.

“Tanunging natin ang mga sarili natin, bakit parating may reklamo sa Tacloban? Bakit sa ibang lugar wala naman tayong nakitang nagreklamo…” Lacson  said, adding that in some areas, the  mayors either belong  to the  opposition or  not part of the  Aquino administration.

The rehabilitation  czar then urged  Tacloban City Mayor  Alfredo Romualdez,  an opposition member,  and  other   local government  officials to set aside  politics, and instead  work  with  the government to help the  Yolanda survivors.

“Magtulungan na lang sa halip na isipin yung pulitika. Unahin na muna natin ang kapakanan ng mga survivors… Humingi ka ng tulong, isipin mo ang kapakanan ng kababayan mo sa halip na sipin mo pa yung kalaban sa pulitika na baka hindi ka tulungan. We are there to help…”  Lacson added.

“Now if the mayor or governor is not proactive enough, if the mayor or governor is not doing his homework, o kaya hindi nya ginagawa ang parte nya para ma rehabilitate, mahihirapan yung national government.”

“We are not omnipotent para makita namin ang lahat ng nangyayari. Ina-appreciate namin yung mga mayors na lumalapit sa amin para sabihin yung mga problema nila kasi hindi naman ito na para kang superman na malalaman namin yung lahat o isang ihip mo lang e tapos na lahat ng rehab. No. Rehabilitation work is  a very tedious job specially so  ang panawagan ng ating Presidente is build back better,”  Lacson added.