ANTIQUE – Food packs intended for residents affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Tobias Fornier town sparked a heated confrontation between Mayor Ernesto Tajanlangit and Vice Mayor Jojo Fornier on Monday, April 29.
According to Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, Fornier, her political ally, sent a letter to her office requesting for the family food packs.
The governor sent 500 food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6.
“Humingi siya (Fornier) sa akin na kung pwede maka-distribute din siya. So I gave him food packs galing sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development. Noong nalaman ni mayor, naghimu siya ng checkpoint kasama ang police,” said Cadiao.
The governor believed Tajanlangit may have wanted his office to distribute the assistance to the residents.
Fornier went to a doctor for a medical checkup. He also filed a blotter complaint at the Tobias Fornier Municipal Police Station (MPS).
Tajanlangit’s Official Statement
On Monday afternoon, Tajanlangit issued an official statement.
“Bilang local chief executive, kita nakapa-idalom sa state of calamity gani indi ako magsugot nga tana ang managtag tungod ang aton MSWDO (Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office) ang office nga in-charge sa paglista kag pagpanagtag kang mga biktima kang El Niño phenomenon sa aton banwa,” read part of the mayor’s statement.
He said the distribution of assistance should be under the MSWDO.
“Kaaraydan kang aton mga kasimanwa ang dapat mangibabaw kag indi ang timprano nga pamulitika. Depensahan ko ang kaaraydan kang tanan labi ron gid ang mga biktima kag El Niño,” Tajanlangit said.
The Tobias Fornier mayor added: “Nagapangayo gid ako kang pasensya sa akon nangin aksyon tungod gani wara ko mapunggan ang akon kaugalingon. Nag-abot ron ang food packs gani dapat gid makadangat ron sa aton pumuluyo sa mas madali nga panahon.”/PN
