Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Vice-President Leni Robredo displays a “cynical, political mindset willing to capitalize on disaster” — this is Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella’s response to Robredo’s remarks on government’s relief operations in Bicol region.
Robredo on Tuesday said the relief operations in typhoon-Nina battered areas in Southern Luzon were “slow.”
“One wished she displayed more appreciation of the work of our disaster officials, our social workers, and other volunteers who were on Ground Zero even before Nina made a landfall,” Abella said.
Robredo was in the United States for a vacation with her family when typhoon Nina hammered provinces in Southern Luzon, including Naga — Robredo’s hometown.
This made the Vice President the target of much criticism, especially over social media.
Meanwhile, Abella reported that as of January 4, a total of more than ₱182 million worth of relief assistance has been provided to affected families in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, regions V and VII, including those who were stranded in various ports in Regions V and VIII.
Aside from this, Abella said the Social Welfare Department has also provided at least ₱166 million worth of assistance. While local government units (LGU’s) and non-government organizations (NGO’s) have provided a total of ₱4,225,832 and ₱11,271,270 worth of aid, respectively.
Robredo said on Tuesday, electricity has not been fully restored in the typhoon-hit areas.
Abella said full restoration of transmission services of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in typhoon Nina-affected areas is expected today.
“The Department of Energy (DOE) with support from local government units and private institutions, on one hand, has brought back electricity to priority areas in Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions before New Year,” Abella said.
“For transmission facilities in the on-grid area, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), after deploying 500 technical personnel, reported that as of December 31, the Naga-Daraga 230 kV line and the Naga-Pili-eIriga line have been restored servicing the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur.”
Robredo clarifies ‘slow relief’ statement
On Tuesday, the Vice President said government’s relief operations were “slow” — but Robredo clarified her remarks.
She said this is what’s being reported to her by the barangay captains as she visits communities gravely affected by typhoon Nina.
“Wala din ako sa lugar na sabihin iyong tama na sinasabi nila,” Robredo said. “Pero iyong reklamo din kahapon iyong mga kapitan na kausap ko, medyo mabagal iyong napuntahan ko kahapon, iyong natanggap pa nila is iyong galing pa sa amin.”
[Translation: I’m not in the position to say that what they’re telling me is correct. But most village captains I talked to were complaining about slow relief operations, and say they have only received relief packs from us.]
Robredo said typhoon Nina caught everyone off-guard — and nobody should be blamed for it.
“Kasi paminsan, iyong bureaucratic red tape iyong nakakatagal. Baka puwedeng upuan, isahan iyong upo, kasi the more na naghihintay iyong tao, mas nabibiktima sila. Kaya kung mayroon naman pantulong, sana maibigay na sa kanila,” said Robredo.
[Translation: Sometimes the bureaucratic red tape is the cause of delay. Maybe we could sit and talk about it, because the more people wait, the more they become neglected. I hope those who have means to help would help right away.]
Robredo also urged everyone to set aside politics.
The vice president said improving coordination for the relief and rehabilitation of areas battered by typhoon Nina should be everyone’s priority.
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