Two years after Yolanda: Markers unveiled, rehab remains slow

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — National political personalities flocked to this city to mark two years since the devastation wrought by typhoon Yolanda that claimed thousands of lives and left millions worth of damage to properties.

There was no one from the Aquino administration or from Malacanang, but it was a show of force instead for presidential aspirant Vice President Jejomar Binay, his running mate Senator Gringo Honasan and their senatorial slate as they joined Taclobanons and Leyteños in the commemorative activities.

Two memorial markers were unveiled; the shipwreck marker at Anibong district, which was dedicated to the thousands who perished in the city on November 8, 2013; and another marker at the Astrodome where at least 8,000 evacuees survived the deadly storm.

Mayor Alfred Romualdez, albeit disappointed by the slow implementation of the recovery and rehabilitation program of the national government despite the millions of dollars in aid from countries around the world, still cited President Noynoy Aquino and thanked him for the help extended to Taclobanons.

“We would like to thank the president, in behalf of the city government of Tacloban, sa lahat ng tulong niya sa mga Taclobanons during our desperate moments. I apologize na minsan nga nakakapagsalita kami ng maaanghang na salita, sapagkat kami ay tao lamang at dahil kami ay nasaktan,” the mayor said in his speech after he unveiled the Anibong marker.

Vice President Binay, who also spoke during the unveiling, said he was happy to see the smiling faces of the people but he felt the pain in their hearts as they remembered the tragedy.

Binay, however, lamented why the Aquino administration could not fast track the rehabilitation and recovery program in this city and in Eastern Visayas.

“I cannot understand bakit until now 27 percent palang ang nailalabas na pera for the rehabilitation projects. As then chairman of the National Housing Authority, we worked on the basis of the money given to us,” he said.

Binay, however, evaded questions from the media if his attendance was to show his alliance with the Romualdezes and the Marcoses.

“I’m not for politics here,” he said.

But Mayor Romualdez admitted he has to endorse the presidential bid of Binay because the Binay family is close to his heart, aside from the help Tacloban has been receiving from Makati City government.

Vice presidential bet, Senator Bongbong Marcos, said it is already two years now, yet the Senate still has to receive any status report from the donations from countries who helped Yolanda victims.

He said that from the housing program alone for the affected areas the national government promised 250,000 housing, but only 17,000 were completed, including the about 1,000 units in Tacloban.

“Kaya we cannot tell the people dahil hindi alam ng senado kung saan na ang mga perang natanggap ng gobyerno,” Marcos added.

A day before the 2nd year commemoration event, six skeletal remains were unearthed at the coastal Barangay Manlurip in San Jose district of the city, and they were believed to be among the victims still missing, although the mayor said this has to be verified first via DNA tests.

Foreign dignitaries were also present.

Minister Counsellor of the Embassy in Indonesia Toto Waspodo said they are always ready to help in times of disaster and calamities like they did during the typhoon.

Michael Hasper, Deputy Chief of Mission of the German Embassy, mentioned the 178 million euros that was donated to the Philippine government, aside from 144 million euros in aid from private donations from German government for their relief work during the crisis. He hopes the assistance will be implemented to benefit the Yolanda survivors.  (FREEMAN)