Palace defends government's post-typhoon Yolanda response

The government has clarified that there was no delay in its response during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda and that assistance to affected communities has continued since disaster struck Eastern Visayas.

"Linawin lang natin: Hindi nabalam, hindi naantala, hindi nahadlangan ang pagbibigay ng kalinga, ang pagpapatupad ng mga proyektong puwede nang ipatupad," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said.

"Tuloy-tuloy ang pagkilos ng pamahalaan para tugunan ang pangangailangan ng libu-libong pamilyang nasalanta ng Typhoon Yolanda o Haiyan."

Five clusters organized by the government began to work after the typhoon hit the country, Coloma noted.

These five clusters under the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery are:

infrastructure under the Department of Public Works and Highways; resettlement under the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and National Housing Authority; social services under the Department of Social Welfare and Development; livelihood under the Department of Trade and Industry; and support under the National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management.

While the government was crafting the comprehensive master plan, these five clusters have been addressing the needs of the affected communities, Coloma said. 

The rehabilitation of these areas began during the first week of July, or eight months after the typhoon hit Eastern Visayas, he said, noting that this is four months earlier compared to rehabilitation efforts in other parts of the world hit by calamities of a similar magnitude.

He further said that the Budget Department has already released funds for various projects and several agencies have also provided quick response funds.

Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Secretary Panfilo Lacson last August 1 submitted to the President the complete plans of the local government units (LGUs) after conducting a post-disaster needs assessment.

The plans were in line with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010.

"At alinsunod sa utos ng Pangulo, bubuuin ang mas detalyadong timetable sa pagpapatupad ng master plan. In other words, ang hinihintay na lang naman ngayon ay ang mas detailed na timetable," he said.

Secretary Coloma said the government is trying to overcome administrative hurdles, such as finding available land, as mentioned by the President.

"Makatitiyak tayo na ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng nararapat para malagpasan ang mga tinatawag nating hindering factors; at nalagpasan na ang marami diyan," he said. (PCOO News Release)