President Benigno Aquino III used his visit to Cebu on the 28th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolt to douse the widespread perception that the province has been abandoned by the national government in its efforts to rebuild places stricken by supertyphoon Yolanda.
In Bantayan town, north Cebu, he said at least P191 million is available for the repair of storm-stricken schools.
Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s 4th district, meanwhile, made known that the government will distribute 14,000 outrigger boats to fishermen who lost their bancas to Yolanda.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development is preparing to stimulate economies in Cebu’s northern tip with a cash for work program worth at least P5 million.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala distributed, among other items, 280 goats, a power wheel, 1,000 corn seedlings, 20,000 coconut seedlings and a thousand bags of fertilizer.
The mayors of about 15 northern Cebu towns should grab the opportunity to coordinate with the national government in helping their constituents pick up the pieces to start life over.
The time to gripe has ended. Local chief executives have seen action, albeit delayed that shows the willingness of the national government.
Indeed, with people still in need, it is not too late. What would further delay their reception of aid would be counterproductive bickering.
We can draw parallels between our people’s struggle against strongman rule and our efforts to stand again after a series of calamities.
In the runup to the 1986 snap elections, political infighting within the opposition would have compromised the movement that eventually ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
An overly cautious Catholic hierarchy would have thinned the number of people that turned up to defend defectors Juan Ponce Enrile, Fidel Ramos, Gregorio Honasan and their mistahs.
The would-haves did not occur. Millions came because an otherwise fractious opposition rallied behind a common figure, Corazon Aquino who became President.
The faithful came because the hierarchy chose valor over a stoic critical collaboration with the establishment.
In rising above disaster, private and nongovernment groups have made a contribution. The national government has clarified the mechanisms for aid and rehabilitation. National and local governments must now keep power tripping at bay and come together to uplift the afflicted.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
