PALO, Leyte – Survivors of the supertyphoon Yolanda, joined by the members of the People Surge Alliance, held a memorial at the mass graves in Tanauan, Palo and Tacloban City during the observance of All Souls Day. The survivors placed candles at the top of the plots where the dead bodies were buried. Banners bearing the message “Here lie the victims of Aquino Governments Criminal Negligence,” were displayed by the People Surge members. According to the Marissa Cabaljao, information officer of the People Surge, blamed the government for lack of preparation why there were thousands of people who died during the onslaught of Yolanda. “There was criminal negligence (on the part of the government) because these thousands of people who died will not die if the government really prepared before the landfall of the super typhoon,” she said. “One week before the typhoon the government already knew this tragedy. In fact, Noynoy stated that there will be a strong storm coming but he just commanded to evacuate. He did not explain how strong it would be specifically regarding the storm surge,” Cabaljao added. Cabaljao also stated that they will continue to support the people in asking for justice from the gross negligence of Aquino administration. Meanwhile, when asked about the President’s approval for the rehabilitation a/assistance for Yolanda survivors, Cabaljao said that it was not favorable to the poor because it focuses more on the infrastructure rather than in livelihood. “The master plan is not favorable to the poor, no livelihood. They only focus on the infrastructure that will favor the big business. So what the poor will gain from this? she said. (MYLA ANN M. JOMADIAO (LNU Intern)
