Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 1) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on local government units (LGUs) on Tuesday to minimize bureaucratic processes in extending help to victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.
Marcos recounted how in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, he learned that some local officials required residents to present stubs when receiving relief packs to make sure they do not get more than what was allotted.
“Eh ano kung mag-doble? [And what if the items given are doubled?]” he said. “Bigay niyo na lahat [Just give everything]. That just means the family will eat for another two days, three days.”
Marcos said local governments nationwide should be liberal in spending funds, so long as these benefit disaster victims.
He gave the instruction during a situation briefing with local authorities on the extent of Paeng’s damage in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“‘Wag na natin masyadong intindihin ‘yung bureaucracy, basta’t paratingin natin ‘yung relief,” the President said.
“There is no such thing as sobra na relief goods…Kung ano ‘yung meron tayo, ibigay natin kaagad,” he added. “It doesn’t matter kung may papel, ‘wag niyo nang papirmahan, basta’t ibigay na. Walang kakainin ‘yang mga ‘yan.”
[Translation: Let’s not mind bureaucracy too much. What’s important is we provide relief. There is no such thing as too many relief goods…Whatever we have, we should immediately give. It doesn’t matter if the residents have the paper requirements, and don’t ask them to sign, just give the items. They have nothing to eat.]
Stronger cooperation sought
During the meeting, he also called for better cooperation between BARMM and LGU officials, saying the seeming lack of coordination hampers efficient provision of aid.
“I noticed na ang BARMM at saka ‘yung LGU wala kayong [that BARMM and LGUs have no] joint operation,” Marcos noted. “You have to have joint operation to maximize all of your assets dahil [because] there is only so much.”
Meanwhile, more military personnel should be deployed to help in disaster operations, such as in distributing relief items and providing medical aid to storm victims, he added.
The President also said it’s about time for the Department of Public Works and Highways to establish a district office in the Bangsamoro region to fast-track the repair of damaged bridges and other infrastructures.
Nearly 209,000 families, or over 400,000 people, in BARMM were affected by Paeng, based on the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The agency said BARMM has confirmed 59 deaths as of Tuesday morning – the highest death toll from Paeng so far among all regions.
The NDRRMC has listed 110 reported fatalities from Paeng nationwide, with 79 of those deaths already confirmed. It said another 33 persons were reported missing.
The NDRRMC is expected to release an update on the casualties and other impact of the storm on Tuesday evening.
