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Bacolod City, Philippines Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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Nat’l agencies should step in
for swift delivery of aid: Migz

BY CARLA GOMEZ

Former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday said in the absence of a clear united front among political forces in Negros Oriental that is needed for the orderly and swift delivery of assistance to the earthquake victims there,national government agencies should step in and guide the relief efforts.

He cited the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Office of Civil Defense.

At a press conference in Bacolod City, Zubiri noted that Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo andGuihulnganCityMayorErnestoReyes appear to be at odds.

“I appeal to the politicians in Negros Oriental, this is not the time to fight. This is a time of dark hours in Negros Oriental, we should join forces regardless of political color,” he said.

“Now is not the time for politicking, if you are politicking now, shame on you, what the people need is help from government,” he said.

Reyes and Degamo had earlier denied engaging in politicking in the relief effort.

Zubiri, a governor of the Philippine Red Cross, yesterday delivered 1,600 bagsof relief goods to Guihulngan City and gave 400 bags to Vallehermoso worth P170,000 from his personal funds.

He was accompanied by Red Cross Volunteers, Negros Occidental Board Members Jose Benito Alonso and Renato Gustilo and Himamaylan Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon.

The situation in Guihulngan is a little chaotic with people from the hinterlands staying in the center of the city refusing to return home becauseaid is being distributed there, he said.

A lot seem to be taking advantage of the situation, he said, noting that on Monday the mayor said 10,000 bags of relief goods were distributed in Guihulnganproper.

That means a corresponding 10,000 families, he said.

Reyes has issued an order that,starting today, distribution of relief goods will be done in the barangays where the affected residents are from so they go will back to their houses, Zubiri said.

Otherwise, they will stay in the city proper waiting for dole-outs instead of getting on with their lives, he added.

Zubiri said when his group delivered goods in Guihulngan yesterday about 3,000 to 4,000 people immediately surrounded their truck.

People are still in need of food and drinking water, he said.

Zubiri said he is also asking the national government to sendmore and immediate relief to Negros Oriental, saying that the Guihulngan mayor told him that the P3 million the president gave to his city could not immediately be usedbecause it is for work for pay.

It is better to deliver the relief assistance directly to the people, Zubiri added.*CPG

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