MANILA, Philippines — Almost five years after Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines, victims of the disaster staged protest at the residence of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s in Times Street, Quezon City.
The Yolanda survivors, who held protest, claimed they came all the way from Samar to seek justice and call for Aquino’s accountability in the disaster aid and rehabilitation program.
They are composed of members of the group which identifies itself as an alliance of disaster survivors in the Philippines, People Surge.
The group threw mud at Aquino’s residence and held demonstration as they cry for help for the Eastern Visayas region.
“Harapin mo ang taumbayan! Nanggaling pa kami sa Samar para maningil sa iyong kapabayaan sa mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda,” protesters told Aquino during the demonstration.
“Hanggang ngayon wala pa ring nakukuhang tulong ang mga biktima, ano ang ginawa mo?” they added.
According to Marissa Cabaljao, spokesperson of People Surge, their group is opposing the rehabilitation program for the Yolanda victims. She cited that the government is transferring the contract of the standard housing anew but they have not yet enjoyed the housing aid.
People Surge is holding the Aquino and the current administration accountable for their criminal negligence in the rehabilitation of their disaster-stricken region.
“Ipinarerehistro po namin ngayon na kahit mag-lilimang taon na hindi namin malilimutan ang kanyang kriminal na kapabayaan sa amin – ang ‘di makataong plinanong rehabilitasyon na nakatutok para sa eco-turismo, para sa micro-financing at para sa interes ng malalaking negosyante,” Cabaljao said in a recorded ambush interview.
Yolanda hit the country in 2013 displacing thousands of residents in Eastern Visayas region.
In 2015, the Aquino administration was criticized for its slow-paced rehabilitation. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Chaloka Beyani Beyani reported that many are still staying in communal bunkhouses, shanties and tents where basic services have not been provided. He said only 21 percent of the rehabilitation was completed more than the year of the aftermath.
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