Palace accuses Robredo of capitalizing on disaster

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said Vice President Leni Robredo seems to be capitalizing on disaster after her remark on slow government response in areas hit by Typhoon Nina (international name: Nock-Ten).

 

"The remark Ms. Robredo made saying that the relief operations were 'slow' suggests a cynical political mindset willing to capitalize on disaster," Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement Wednesday.

 

Robredo on Tuesday commented that she thinks the disaster response was "somewhat slow" after visiting areas battered by the typhoon in her home region of Bicol.

 

She said that a barangay captain complained of not receiving assistance except for those sent by the Office of the Vice President. She added that there were still toppled electric posts along major roads days after the typhoon left the country.

 

"It’s unusual that after eight days, only 50 percent of the affected areas have electricity," she said.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo apologized to victims of the typhoon who have not yet received government assistance.

 

“We can help remind appropriate government officials and units to respond to their needs,” Taguiwalo said while urging the public to report irregularities in the distribution of food packs.

 

 

He said that full restoration of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines transmission services in areas affected by "Nina" is expected today.

 

The typhoon has affected a total of 446,496 families or 1,986,960 individuals in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas, according to the situation report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Monday. Some 348,802 families or 1,545,924 individuals were affected by "Nina" in Bicol.