TACLOBAN CITY- The answer is simply: No!
Thus said the People’s Surge, an alliance of typhoon survivors on President Aquino’s own version of “I am sorry,” speech.
“No, we do not accept his apologies. For what? So he will be absolved by his sins?” Efleda Bautista, a convenor of the group told Leyte Samar Daily Express in an interview.
Benedictine Sister Edita Eslopor, spokesperson of the victims, hit Aquino “for insulting the public with an ‘apology’ after four months of the government’s failure in relief and rehabilitation.”
“President Aquino’s ‘apology’ seems to try to get away with his arrogant refusal to take responsibility for four months of hell for the Yolanda survivors,” said Sr. Eslopor said.
“The ‘apology’ is not even directed to us Yolanda survivors, who went to Malacanang in February and got snubbed by the President 100 days after Yolanda struck the region. Yolanda victims have been starving and dying as a result of this government’s ineptness and gross negligence and all he could say was ‘sorry’?” she added.
“The President did not even bother to give us water to drink. Worst, Aquino sent military to meet us. He has no heart for a woman like me, and for the victims,” Eslopor said.
Eslopor maintained that people’s immediate and long-term basic needs must the first priority in any reconstruction.
The group of Espolor had demanded but turned down by the government of P40,000 financial assistance to each family victims; cancelled the no build zone policy and continue to provide food assistance to the victims. (RONALD O.REYES)
