‘Stop Blame Game in Yolanda Response,’ Says New Cebu Auxilliary Bishop

Palo Leyte (PNA) –- Newly-appointed Cebu auxiliary bishop Oscar Florencio Florendo urged government critics to help in the ongoing rehabilitation of areas ravaged by typhoon Yolanda instead of blaming the government.

Bishop Florencio, who also serves the rector of St. John the Evangelist School of Theology in Palo, said rants and criticism against the government won’t help hasten the recovery and rehabilitation works for those who were displaced by the catastrophe in 2013.

“This cannot be done by the government, church alone or by the NGO (non government organization) alone. In all these, we need everybody’s help to achieve the 100 percent recovery of Yolanda victims. “Let’s stop blaming one another, let start doing the things that we can do. We contribute…the problem will remain there and it will grow if keep on blaming other instead of helping finding solution to it,” said Florencio.

The government has already allocated funds for the construction of more than 13,000 housing units for Yolanda-displaced families in Tacloban. Meanwhile, other groups to include the Roman Catholic Church are funding the construction of about 2,000 houses.

In Eastern Visayas, the National Housing Authority (NHA) aims to to build 21,012 permanent housing units. However, as of July, only 542 houses are ready for occupancy.

Most of the housing units that NHA are building are located in the northern part of Tacloban City, which the city government has identified as the location of a new community.

Aside from constructing houses, NHA is also in charge of the development of lands where privately-funded permanent housing units will be built through the help of NGO donors

Tacloban City Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin asked coordination and cooperation between the city and the national government in finishing the construction of housing project.

“What we should look now is for solution to the problem and not looking for mistakes that will agitate the problem. “If they go on that way, this project will not be over even when we grow old. Both should work together to address the problem,” said Yaokasin.

Yaokasin added that once relocated, the national and city government should also ensure the safety of the family and the assurance of decent living conditions through appropriate and sustainable livelihoods which will help them support their basic needs. (PNA) FFC/BNB/SQM/RTA