Priest doubts poll on gov't response to Yolanda

MANILA, Philippines - A Church official on Friday said he doubts the credibility and accuracy of the Social Weather Station survey which showed that majority of survivors of super typhoon Yolanda are "happy" and have given "very good" performance rating to President Benigno Aquino III.

Father Mark Granflor, director of the Social Action arm of the Archdiocese of Capiz, also questioned the survey's data that shows 73 percent of the victims are satisfied while 19 percent are dismayed with the President's response to help Yolanda survivors.

The prelate said contrary to the SWS survey result, there was no presence of government in the province of Capiz after the devastation brought by Yolanda.

He, however, pointed out the overwhelming presence of international relief workers and local non-government organizations for the Yolanda survivors in the province.

"Noong narinig ko yan, I kept on smiling, ang sabi ko 'Saan ba sila nag-survey? Paano nila nakuha? Overwhelming ang presence dito sa Capiz ng foreign and local NGOs at yun ang na-feel ng mga tao gayundin ang overwhelming na support natin sa Simbahan because of the persons na may concern na tumutulong sa atin," he said.

"Pero when it comes sa government, sorry to say po siguro, parang hindi masyadong na feel more or less ng mga tao natin ang response ng government during and after Yolanda when it comes sa tulong. So we can smile sa result n survey na yan. Siguro yung na-survey baka talagang nakatanggap sila ng tulong pero dito sa amin, personally medyo hindi namin na feel during and after the typhoon," Father Granflor told Church-run Radyo Veritas," he added.

Meanwhile, Father Granflor said that phase 2 of the recovery and rehabilitation program of the Archdiocese of Capiz has already started for the survivors of the superhowler.

"Siguro kailangang mag-start rehab at focus naming ngayon matulungan ang mga tao sa livelihood programs kasi personally, hindi po kami sold out sa dole-out. There should be a sense of responsibility and ownership sa lahat ng kailangan nating ibigay sa tao....So parang hands off kami sa dole outs lets try to move on and trying to help them sa kanilang livelihood, pagstart ulit ng normal na buhay pagkatapos ng typhoon," the priest said.