Aquino rebukes officials for lack of power in Davao town

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino on Monday scolded officials for the lingering  problem of lack of power in Cateel, Davao Oriental.

Addressing the typhoon Pablo-ravaged town, Aquino said that he recently called Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) about Cateel's power situation.

"Tinawagan ko, dahil ako'y nagulat, na bakit mayroong pa palang lugar dito na hindi naibabalik ang kuryente. Tapos ang sagot sa akin, ay mayroong daw ho pending request ang NEA. Sagot ng DBM, 'Wala ho sa amin 'yang request.' Tinatanong ko ngayon ang DOE, 'Nasaan ba talaga ang request na 'yan?'" Aquino said.

Aquino said that the officials should not test his patience.

"Buti pa, sa tagal ng beses tinanong ko sa inyo 'to, bago ako umalis ng Cateel, kailangan kong masagot ng matino at maayos. At talaga naman ho, alam ho nila na tayo'y bihira mawalan ng pasensya, 'wag sana nilang subukan," Aquino said in jest.

The president expressed his admiration for the residents' resilience in dealing with the aftermath of the strong 2012 typhoon.

Cateel was among the hardest hit areas and suffered loss of lives, livelihood and homes. Various infrastructure such as water, communication and electricity facilities were also destroyed. 

"Subalit gaano man katindi po ang pagsubok na inyong hinarap, tinumbasan ninyo ito ng malasakit, damayan, at dedikasyong bumangon," Aquino said.

He also vowed that the improvement  and reconstruction will continue.

"Ang hangad po natin: siguruhing mas ligtas, mas matatag at mas maayos ang kondisyon ng mga estrukturang ating ipapatayo," he said, adding that government is eyeing homes to be built for 17,480 families.