Guihulngan City Mayor Ernesto Reyes strongly denied allegations of politicking in the distribution of relief goods to his constituents after many  affected residents complained of having no food and water.

Reports  had earlier come out that the victims did not receive relief assistance from the city government, especially those who evacuated from the mountain. There were also  claims  Reyes allegedly kept all of the relief goods in his house and that only his political supporters are given assistance.

He said all relief goods received by the city government are properly recorded and stored in his residence for distribution. He said the distribution is being made in his house because he wants  to personally give the relief goods to the victims.

Reyes said he even stays  up late at night  to distribute bottled water to his constituents and said he understood the sentiments of the people from the slow or non-distribution of food and water because some areas in his town are still inaccessible.

He also denied allegations he ordered the relief assistance team from the DSWD Provincial Office to transfer from  the Guihulngan gymnasium. He said all groups that will give relief assistance are welcome, considering that his people badly need help.

Reymundo Yu, Negros Oriental State University Guihulngan campus instructor, said the assistance from the city government to the people is very slow. He  said he  hopes  local officials hear the residents’ cry for food and water, especially  those who lost their homes.

Yu is  appealing to relief donors to channel their assistance to the Philippine Red Cross or civic organizations for fast distribution to the victims.

He  also said he hopes  that power will be restored soon as promised by President Benigno Aquino III during his visit to Guihulngan City last week.*MA

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