Mayon Evacuees Being Short-changed
We from Bicol Movement for Disaster Response (BMDR) are saddened by the fact that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her economic spokesperson Gary Olivar are callous to the plight of Mayon residents who have been evacuated due to the volcano's imminent eruption.
With President Arroyo going to Hong Kong to have a vacation while many Albayanos are facing the loss of their lives and property she only showed her true nature and that she does not care for Albayanos or for Filipinos. She only thinks of what can extend her hold to power.
Even with her belated effort to drop by Albay after her vacation it came out as just an afterthought in reaction to the criticisms she received. She is not even aware that anomalies are now happening in the evacuation centers and some diseases like sore eyes have befallen the evacuees. Is it because she has no use for Albayanos in the next elections because she is just running as a representative in Pampanga?
We have been monitoring the evacuation centers since day one and we have received reports from Legazpi City and Tabaco City evacuation centers that there is some dishonesty in the distribution of relief goods particularly of rice. Supposedly every family are to receive 5 kilograms of rice daily but in actuality they only get 2 ½ kgs.-3kgs and it is made to last for 4 days. This is in direct contrast to what Gov. Joey Salceda said that the provincial government has enough budget for 5kgs per family per day even with the increased number of evacuees.
This should be looked into immediately and we must ascertain where are the missing rice going. We must ensure that all the donations that come in are given to the evacuees to safeguard against unscrupulous politicians in using the disaster to their political advantage.
Tess Pielago
Coordinator
Bicol Movement for Disaster Response (BMDR)
1st flr. Encarnacion Building, Legazpi City, Albay