Ormoc officials allegedly refusing relief to non-voters

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m.) - Several residents of typhoon-hit Ormoc and Tacloban cities in Leyte complained of barangay officials refusing to release relief goods to victims who are not registered voters in their area.

"Maraming mga pulitiko ang nagsasamantala sa mga relief goods. HINDI po nila bibigyan ng relief goods kapag hindi po nila botante," Ormoc resident Noel Meramonte said, writing to Philstar.com.

Julius Cris Salinas, whose father lives in Tacloban, affirmed Meramonte's claims in his Facebook post last Tuesday.

Related: State of calamity in Ormoc City

"Nakausap ko ulit si Papa, sabi nya hindi raw sila binibigyan ng relief goods sa downtown area kasi kino-control ng mga barangay officials, kasi hindi sila botante sa lugar na 'yun," Salinas said.

Barangay officials are keeping a list of voters to check whether a solicitor of aid is part of the locale, he said.

"Kapag wala ka dun sa lista bahala ka mamatay sa gutom ... Sana hindi sa lahat ng barangay nangyayari 'to," Salinas added.

Rod Dondon, another resident of Ormoc City, similarly alleged an inequitable distribution of goods for those affected by the super typhoon that struck the city last November 8.

"Nalaman ko sa mga barangay sa atin na kung hindi ka daw botante, hindi ka mabibigay ng relief goods," Dondon said.

Ormoc City Councilor Ruben Capahi, meanwhile, said in a statement that the devastated urban area needs more relief and aid and belied claims that the area is not secure for volunteers.

"To all relief groups and organizations ... No reason to be afraid in coming here to help the Ormocanons who are in dire need of help right now," Capahi said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council estimates over 191,000 people have been affected by "Yolanda," among the most powerful cyclones to ever hit land, in Ormoc City alone.