PNoy inspects damaged infra in Casiguran, skips Baler visit

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday visited Casiguran, Aurora to personally inspect the damage left by Typhoon Lando.

Instead of visiting Baler as initially scheduled, Aquino went this morning to the Casiguran Municipal Hall where he was briefed by the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council of Aurora on the condition of the typhoon-hit province.

The president also distributed relief goods to the families affected by Lando.

Aquino then conducted a windshield inspection of damaged infrastructure including St. Anthony De Padua Church, Casiguran public market, Agricula covered court, Casiguran District Hospital and Tinib Calangwasan Integrated School.

Aquino was accompanied by Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Health Secretary Janet Garin, Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Interior Secretary Mel Sarmiento.

Also joining the president were Sen. Sonny Angara, Aurora Rep. Bella Angara-Castillo, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Alex Pama and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hernando Iriberri.

On Monday, Aquino also handed out relief goods to displaced families in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

In an interview with reporters, Aquino denied that government response has been slow in the areas affected by Lando.

"Slow response time? I think we have pre-positioned not just the relief supplies but also the equipment with DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) in so many different areas," he said.

Aquino was initially scheduled to visit on Thursday the provincial capitol, Baler, where Liberal Party (LP) candidates Manuel Roxas II and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo distributed relief goods to typhoon victims on Tuesday.

Baler Mayor Nelianto Bihasa, who was not from LP, reportedly complained that there was politics involved in the visit of Roxas and Robredo since the relief goods did not go through him.

Malacañang responded on Wednesday, saying the relief goods were meant for typhoon victims and not for Bihasa.

The Palace also maintained that the government will help typhoon-hit provinces regardless of their officials' political affiliations.