‘Yolanda’ reveals Roxas’ failure as leader, manager—Binay camp

Vice President Jejomar Binay (left) and Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

The performance of outgoing Interior Secretary Mar Roxas during and after the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in the Philippines has revealed his “failure as manager and a leader,” the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Friday.

“Yolanda has shown to the people the extent, or rather the limits, of Secretary Roxas’ executive capability. He was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. And his now classic reply to the local officials of Tacloban pleading for national government’s help best illustrates his insensitivity to the suffering of our people: Bahala kayo sa buhay n’yo,” Binay spokesperson Rico Quicho said in a statement.

Quicho also scored Roxas for supposedly dodging questions on the government’s rehabilitation of Yolanda-hit areas, particularly the issues surrounding the controversial emergency shelter assistance (ESA) program.

“Roxas, as administration candidate, should not evade questions on the failure of the administration to improve the lives of the poor and deliver basic services,” he said.

But the Department of Interior and Local Government and Roxas himself have pointed out that the ESA program was under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

READ: Roxas evasive on ‘Yolanda’ queries | ‘Wrong to fault Mar for Yolanda housing’

Citing former national treasurer Leonor Briones of Social Watch Philippines, Quicho added that President Benigno Aquino III has not yet approved the release of funds for housing resettlement amounting to P54 billion.

“A total of P170 billion was earmarked for reconstruction and rehabilitation, but again, the government has not released the whole amount,” he said.

Quicho said a total of 120,000 housing units should have already been completed this year, but claimed that funds were not immediately released to the National Housing Authority.

“These projects have been bid-out and ready for award but could not be awarded yet pending release of funds to the National Housing Authority,” Quicho said.

“Ito ba ang tunay na Daang Matuwid? Kabi-kabila ang problema ng bansa at ng mamamayang Pilipino? Lubak-lubak na ang daan, puro harang o roadblocks pa sa pag-unlad ng Pilipinas at pagginhawa ng buhay ng Pilipino dahil manhid at palpak ang pamamahala (Is this the real straight path? The ways are riddled with potholes and roadblocks to the growth of the Philippines and the improvement of the lives of Filipinos because the government is insensitive and inutile),” he added. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/IDL