Vice President Sara Duterte acknowledged on Wednesday the growing frustration among residents in the Visayas over what they see as the government’s slow disaster response following the devastation brought by Typhoon Tino.
“Natural na sumama yung loob, magka-trauma, magka-phobia, magalit ang mga tao dahil ang expectation nila is that government would work for them. And in this case they feel as if this government failed them,” Duterte said during her visit to Liloan, Cebu.
She said it was “understandable” for people to feel angry and heartbroken after witnessing widespread flooding that left entire communities under water and displaced hundreds of families. The Vice President added that she “felt very sad” about the disaster’s toll and urged accountability.
“So managot dapat. Simulan ng local government unit yung pag-iimbestiga bakit nangyari, kung paano nangyari at kung ano yung solusyon,” she said, stressing the importance of investigating the cause of the massive flooding to prevent similar incidents.
Duterte personally led relief operations in Liloan and Danao City, two of the hardest-hit areas, where she distributed financial aid and supplies to storm survivors. Many victims have taken temporary refuge at Liloan Central School and D.T. Durano Elementary School.
She also visited the wake of several residents who lost their lives in the flooding, extending P15,000 in assistance to each bereaved family through her office.
