BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Opposition senator Joseph Victor Ejercito called for the elimination of government red tape in the rehabilitation of “Yolanda”-stricken areas in the Visayas.
Typhoon victims are still in need of homes because the government has been slow in its rehabilitation efforts, lamented Ejercito.
“Until now, no power generators are installed in the ‘tent cities’ of Tacloban. At night, they cope with candles and gas lamps,” he said.
Malacañang has insisted that the government’s relief and rehabilitation programs remain in place.
Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma Jr. said they are not derailing the recovery efforts in the region.
“We must acknowledge the breadth, depth and complexity of the task at hand. It would not be responsible to simply blame the government because this is something that can be empirically determined,” said Coloma.
Meanwhile, Coloma expressed sadness over the death of six people in a fire that hit tents in Tacloban City.
He said he will look into the safety procedures implemented in these temporary shelters, as well as the existing emergency response in case of accidents or fires.
“Dapat siguro merong mas responsive na sistema,” Coloma said./PN
