Yolanda Aftermath is a Defining Moment for the Aquino Administration

Media Release 
14 November 2013

Reference: Rosalinda C. Tablang – 0927-9259413 / (+632) 929-8109
President, Samahang Operasyong Sagip (SOS)


It’s all too obvious, PNoy’s cabinet is working overtime in glossing over the truth about the real situation in Typhoon Yolanda-ravaged regions to cover up for the Philippine government’s incapacity and inefficiency in preparing and responding to the worst disaster to hit the nation yet.

This is Samahang Operasyong Sagip’s (SOS) analysis to the all too many parrots (read: cabinet members)singing one song in defense of PNoy’s inadequacy to respond to millions of affected populations.

SOS president Rosalinda C. Tablang said that it is too immature of the government to use the argument that “nobody expected the effect to be of this magnitude.” Hence, the justification for the snail-paced and bureaucratic response.

“In a disaster situation like this, the national government is the last entity that we need to hear appalled by the density of the aftermath,” Tablang responded.

She specified that it is the national government’s task to “prepare for the worst and have all contingencies on board” because weather authorities and media groups have been warning of Typhoon Yolanda’s strength days before it hit the Philippine soil.

Tablang also slammed Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras for saying “I don’t think it is an acid test of this administration. This is an acid test of Filipino people. How well we handle this crisis will matter a lot. Yes, there will be challenges but we will move on.”

“To say that this is not an acid test for the Aquino administration is blatant denial of the truth. PNoy’s government has been through typhoons Sendong, Pablo, and habagat and the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in the Visayas. He has gone through all of these disasters with the same inefficiency as what is seen in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda,” she added.

Whether they like it or not, this is a defining moment of the Aquino administration, Tablang said.

“We would like to remind the Aquino government that what the survivors need are food, water, shelter, sincere and concrete assurance and not empty promises,” Tablang ended.##