Aquino says administration extending aid, finds criticism unfair
President Benigno Aquino III speaks before the residents in Bantayan island the first time since Yolanda hit the island last year. (CDN PHOTO/ MICHELLE PADAYHAG )
President Benigno Aquino III said he finds it unfair that his administration is accused of not extending enough assistance to victims of typhoon Yolanda in northern Cebu.
He said the national government distributed thousands of food packs during the relief operation in northern Cebu shortly after the supertyphoon battered the towns and cities there.
“Ewan ko saan nanggagaling (yung balitang) hindi dumating sa kanila (ang tulong) (I don’t know where they got those reports that the assistance never reached them),” Aquino told the press after the celebration of the Edsa People Power anniversary held at the Provincial Capitol.
He said the national government will allocate P191 million for Bantayan Island’s rehabilitation program which will include health centers, multi-purpose building, public market, and classrooms.
He said Bantayan needs 253 classrooms which will cost the government P133 million; rural health centers at P117 million and public markets at P5 million.
He admitted that the government had not been perfect “but to say we didnt exert maximum effort is unfair.”
Mr. Aquino visits Bantayan island for the first time since supertyphoon Yolanda hit the Visayas and killed thousands of people last November. The President said the P191 million budget needs to undergo verification.
“The fund are ready na dinadaan lang sa (it’s just undergoing) verification,” Aquino told the press.
He said there are other private groups who have pledged support to help in the rehabilitation process and encourage private groups to help the government.
President Aquino arrived in Bantayan at 12:13 noon along with Interior and Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Sec. Julia Abad, Defense Sec. Voltaire Abad and rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson among others.
Aquino distributed 100 motorbanca to the fisherfolks in Bantayan along with several non-government organizations.
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