Pair apology with actions, Aquino told

MANILA, March 14, 2014— President Benigno Aquino III must accompany his apology to typhoon Yolanda victims with restitution, Catholic bishops said.

The most important way to prove, they said, that the government is truly sorry for its highly criticized efforts in the aftermath of the typhoon is to ensure that the hurtful action is not repeated.

Nevertheless, albeit it is “too late”, the bishops lauded the Chief Executive for his courage to apologize over his administration’s shortcomings.

“It’s good that he apologized even if it’s too late. I hope that this admission will be followed with reform,” Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said.

Over four months after Yolanda devastated several areas in Visayas, Aquino personally apologized to some students for the government’s slow response to Yolanda.

Pabillo said the government should improve the delivery of relief assistance to affected areas and its rehabilitation efforts.

In Palo, Leyte, truckloads of spoiled relief goods were reportedly ended up in a dumpsite recently.

For Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Iloilo, which was also struck by Yolanda, said the President’s apology “should be well taken”.

According to him, there are factors that may have contributed to the slow response of the government.

“But as in the case of the ship, the captain takes all the blame because of command responsibility,” Lagdameo said.

“The best thing to do is make up for his shortcomings. What does he intend to do concretely? Many people are still suffering,” said Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco. (CBCPNews)