Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Talking about the alleged slow pace of operations in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman claimed it is “unfair” for some people to use this issue against administration bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.
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In a press briefing on Tuesday (March 29), Soliman said Roxas, who was then Interior Secretary, arrived in Tacloban with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin a day before Yolanda struck on November 8, 2013.
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“Ang tingin ko unfair. Alam naman ng tao sino ang nandoon. Alam nila sino ang dumating lang ng helicopter, namigay [ng relief goods], umalis. Kaya ako, pinapasa-Diyos ko na lang,” she said.
[Translation: In my opinion, it is unfair. People know who were at the area. People know who arrived aboard a helicopter, distributed (relief goods), and then left. As for me, I am just entrusting the situation to God.]
Soliman added that it was Roxas who led daily meetings with other officials to discuss relief operations and rehabilitation, belying allegations that Roxas lacked leadership at such a critical situation.
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However, Soliman admitted the government was not prepared for a 350 kph typhoon at the time.
Also read: Are we prepared for another Yolanda?
“Tinatanggap namin na hindi kami handa for a 350 kph (typhoon), pero in three days to four days time, nakapag-establish kami ng supply line na si Secretary Mar rin ang gumawa ng system,” Soliman said.
[Translation: We admit that we were not prepared for a 350 kph (typhoon), but in three days to four days time, we were able to establish a supply line, as Secretary Mar built the system.]
“Alam ko kung papaano maglakad sa dilim. Alam din namin paano kumain ng corned beef saka sardinas araw-araw kasi nandoon kami [sa Tacloban] at alam niyong nandoon kami.”
[Translation: We know how it is to walk in the dark. We also know how it feels like to eat corned beef and sardines everyday because we were there (in Tacloban) and you know we were there.]
Related: Typhoon Yolanda: Looking back, moving forward
