Some FilAms blame Aquino gov’t for not being prepared for Yolanda

By Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

Nov. 20, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO – In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, many people are not only blaming the world’s strongest typhoon for the devastation it left behind, but also Philippine government officials who they accuse of not being better prepared to deal with a calamity this big.

Two days before the super storm, the Aquino administration claimed it was ready, even broadcasting warnings of a potential 20-foot storm surge.

But with 4,000 people dead and more than $5 billion in damaged properties, President Aquino finally admitted that the government’s disaster response systems failed.

His reason: Emergency staff members became victims of the storm and were unable to work.

But some Filipino-Americans, who recently held a candlelight vigil for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, said the Philippine government should not have had any excuses, especially when people’s lives are at stake.

“It’s shameful that they can’t help their own people,” Rowena Cape, who attended the vigil, said.

President Aquino also admitted that half of the emergency relief goods that were in storage before Yolanda hit were contaminated by the waves.

With aid coming in from different parts of the world, these activists said Philippine officials need to make sure relief goods get to the people who need it most — right away.

“We’re very disappointed in hearing that the government is not doing enough to provide basic needs like food and water to the people,” Angelica Cabande of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) stated.

“The relief efforts of the government are really slow and we don’t appreciate that President Aquino is blaming local officials for not doing enough. They are also victims of Typhoon Yolanda,” added Jeremias David, also of NAFCON.

But Aquino has also defended his administration in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda. While he thinks a backup system may be needed for better response to future calamities, he said he’s pleased with the pace of rescue efforts.

Given the country’s limited resources and the magnitude of Yolanda, he asked his critics: “What else could I have done?”

Community leaders who held a mass for the Philippines at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco recently, said that instead of focusing on blaming the government, people should just work together for the common good.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of emotions and a lot of anger and sadness through all of this. The only way we can get through this is if we can band together and get as much support out to our families, as quickly as possible,” Hydra Mendoza, a community leader said.

Gennevieve Jopanda, another community leader stressed, “We’re not even taking into account the government at all. We just need to be able to address the issues and get services and resources to the typhoon victims right away.”

You may contact Henni Espinosa at henni_espinosa@abs-cbn.com for more information.