Yolanda rehab workers, survivors weigh in on presidential bets

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Yolanda rehab workers, survivors weigh in on presidential bets
Rehabilitation is still ongoing 3 years after the super typhoon devastated Eastern Visayas

It’s another round of debates for the presidential candidates on March 20. 

To be held in Cebu, the Visayas leg will include disaster risk reduction and climate change as topics. 

Rehab workers and survivors talk about what they want to hear from the candidates on the next debate.

Pia Ranada reports.

MINET JERUSALEM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEYTE CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT: I would like to ask the presidential candidates what their concrete platforms on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation are because we have a good law, Republic Act No. 10121, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act. What they would do to really ensure that RA 10121 is put into practice?

In Tacloban City, hundreds of families still live in temporary shelters.

After 3 years and no shortage in foreign aid, government efficiency becomes a key issue. 

Disaster management worker Joselito Sosmena asks…

JOSELITO SOSMENA, TACLOBAN FIELD COORDINATOR, ACT ALLIANCE: During disasters, the big issue is corruption. There was news of DSWD wasting resources, relief goods rotting that didn’t reach the survivors. We cannot understand why it’s so hard and it takes so long for government to respond to disasters, especially big disasters. 

Candidates like Grace Poe and Miriam Santiago say they want to create a new department dedicated to disaster management.

Sosmena thinks bloating the bureacracy is not the answer.

JOSELITO SOSMENA, TACLOBAN FIELD COORDINATOR, ACT ALLIANCE: We already have the NDRRMC. What we really need is the political will to respond, meaning well-coordinated actions. As long as government responds this way, no matter what taskforce you create, nothing will happen.

Jenalyn Bote is a single mother living in a temporary shelter in Tacloban City.

She has one wish from the presidential candidates.

JENALYN BOTE, YOLANDA SURVIVOR: I hope the 4Ps becomes a law, that’s our only wish. Because we are 4Ps beneficiaries.

RAPPLER: So 4Ps has really helped you?

JENALYN BOTE, YOLANDA SURVIVOR: For now, it helps me raise my kids.

All 5 presidential candidates say they will continue and improve the popular Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.

But Jerusalem thinks the program should be reviewed.

MINET JERUSALEM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEYTE CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT: One of the issues we have at hand is sustainability of the conditional cash transfer because after the cash, although they have education, but it’s not sustainable in the sense that even their kids, grandkids will benefit. For me, sustainability will happen if you organize groups that will ensure the economic interventions address their short-term as well as long-term economic needs. The problem with 4Ps is they have cash temporarily but there is no way of monitoring if it was used for the purpose.

What do they think of the candidates?

JOSELITO SOSMENA, TACLOBAN FIELD COORDINATOR: I don’t see a candidate I want to support. Definiltey Mar Roxas has experience, but is proven to be slow in disaster response. As for Grace Poe, we have not seen her at work although her platform is good. Duterte, based on what people here are saying, was here immediately after the disaster. Binay also went here, but in terms of platform, I don’t know.

Jenalyn is also undecided about her vote but she associates Roxas to President Benigno Aquino III.

She feels the president abandoned them.  

RAPPLER: What do you think of Mar Roxas?

JENALYN BOTE, YOLANDA SURVIVOR: He and Aquino are the same.

RAPPLER: What do you think of Duterte?

JENALYN BOTE, YOLANDA SURVIVOR: He is different.

RAPPLER: What do you think of Miriam?

JENALYN BOTE, YOLANDA SURVIVOR: No comment.

RAPPLER: What do you think of Grace Poe?

JENALYN BOTE, YOLANDA SURVIVOR: It seems she can start something, she is also different.

Will the candidates rise to the challenge of the next storm?

Pia Ranada, Rappler, Tacloban City.

– Rappler.com

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