Duterte ‘satisified’ with gov’t action, aid in quake-hit Leyte

President Rodrigo Duterte. AP

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he was “satisfied” with the government’s efforts and assistance in quake-hit Leyte.

“I am satisfied with the reports and the actions taken. I hope that we have done something to show to the people that government is working,” Duterte said in a briefing with Cabinet members and local government officials in Ormoc City.

“Iyon lang naman ang akin eh (what’s important for me is), that there is a government, a functioning one, that your money is protected, that everything will be put to good use,” he added.

In a separate interview before leaving the quake-hit city, the President assured government assistance to the affected residents.

“Ang masasabi ko, narito kami kasi tutulong kami sa inyo.  Meron ng programa ang gobyerno kung paano ang pagpapatakbo o gagawin sa mga tulong na dumating.  Si Gov. [Leopoldo Dominico] Petilla,  narinig naman niya kung ano ang aming plano para sa inyo.  Gagawin talaga namin ‘yan,” he said.

(We’re here because we will help you. The government has a program where we utilize the aid that comes in. Gov. Petilla heard our plans for you. We will act on them.)

Duterte visited Ormoc City exactly a week after Leyte was hit by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake that killed at least two people and damaged public properties worth P230 million. JE