Bishop to PNoy: Fast-track Yolanda rehab for Pope's visit

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Wednesday called on the Aquino government to fast track the rehabilitation efforts of the areas affected by supertyphoon Yolanda in time for the visit of Pope Francis to the country.

CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs Bishop Broderick Pabillo said President Benigno Aquino III should order government agencies involved in the rehabilitation to spare the country from further embarrassment during the visit of the Pope on January 2015.

Bishop Pabillo noted that the present administration might draw flak from the international community for the seemingly slow rehabilitation and recovery efforts of Yolanda affected provinces in  Eastern Visayas.

"Una sa lahat, magsikap ang gobyerno na pabilisin ang kanilang rehabilitation kasi kung pupunta ang Santo Papa dito ay magiging focus na naman ng buong mundo ang Pilipinas at dapat na maipakita na tayo ay may nagawa at hindi lalabas na kahiya-hiya.

"Sa palagay ko, ang balak niya (Santo Papa) na pagpunta dito ay upang tingnan ang kalagayan ng mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda at isang malaking tulak para sa gobyerno at sa simbahan, sa mga NGO na dapat bilis bilisan ang rehabilation kasi magiging focus na naman tayo ng buong mundo niyan," Bishop Pabillo told Radyo Veritas.

The bishop said that the Pope's visit to the Philippines would be a great help for the survivors of the calamity in the region.