There’s something grievously wrong in the state of affairs in Cagayan de Oro. The national government, particularly DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman is not coordinating or consulting with Mayor Vicente Emano. Different political leaders are fighting in an attempt to take control of the relief operations instead of working together.
What is sad is the report that Sec. Dinky Soliman admitted to reporters that she was instructed by President Aquino to ignore Mayor Emano. Mayor Emano had rejected then candidate Aquino’s plea for support and stuck to his declared support for Erap thus, P-Noy’s dislike for him which he amply demonstrated when he visited CDO, even berating him in public.
UN personnel and other NGOs are complaining that they do not know who is in charge and with whom to coordinate.
There is confusion as to the housing program. Habitat for Humanity is planning to put up 6,000 housing units in coordination with Mayor Emano who has provided a 9.2-hectare city owned property. Cong. Rufus Rodriguez reported he is putting up 3,600 units in coordination with National Housing Authority with P60 million released by President Aquino. PNRC Chairman Dick Gordon announced plans to construct 500 units in coordination with Xavier University. The Federation of Chinese Chambers of Commerce, Inc., together with Lucio Tan is donating 300 units. CBCP is building 300 units.
As of yesterday, no one was coordinating. Aggravating the situation is the fact that DSWD, Mayor Emano and Congressman Rodriguez have different lists of tropical storm Sendong victims. Mayor Emano gave the number 6,000. Cong. Rodriguez said 18,000 persons lost their homes and have to be relocated. DSWD has its own list.
Vice President Jojo Binay flew to Cagayan de Oro yesterday to try to put order into the crisscrossing efforts. I am hopeful he can resolve this confusion and make the corresponding assignment of responsibility.
The casualty figures have reached 750 in Cagayan de Oro with 300 missing and 598 in Iligan with 400 missing.
Relief and resettlement efforts in Iligan are going on smoothly as Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Cong. Bart Belmonte, both Liberal Party members are getting full support from P-Noy.
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CAGAYAN DE ORO (CDO) UPDATE. . . There’s a new 400-room hotel called Mulberry Suites in CDO. Situated in the downtown shopping area adjacent to Robinson’s Mall, it is a business hotel with most rooms priced at an affordable P2,000. The hotel is owned and managed by Roger and Yvette Chiu.
CDO politics is heating up with the anti Emano forces mounting a recall petition led by Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno who is preparing to run for Mayor against Emano. Mayor Emano said there is no time to gather and validate 45,000 signatures.
Former Mayor Ruben Canoy heads a People’s Commission to help manage the disaster management situation.
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2ND WEEK BLUES . . . The 2nd week of the year registered an ambush on Cotabato City Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema. At the same time, President Aquino announced a terror plot to bomb the Black Nazarene procession. By his announcement, President Aquino validated the travel advisory of the United States, DND Sec. Voltaire Gazmin and the PNP said that the terror threat is continuing with 6 suspected terrorists from Mindanao in town.
Oil companies increased gasoline prices by P1.90 a liter, the 2nd week in a row. Diesel and kerosene by P1.50 per liter.
Sendong and floods have destroyed Mindanao roads. The Davao-Agusan road is full of potholes.
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CORONA CLEARED . . . The Commission on Audit (COA) has cleared Chief Justice Renato Corona of any wrongdoing in the use of the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF).
It even found that JDF collections increased by P12 million in 2010 to a grand total of P885 million. P701 million was paid out for COLA allowances of court employees while P177 million was allocated for court facilities and repairs.
Joining the Corona defense team are former Justice Undersecretary Ramon Esguerra, Professor Tranquil Gervasio Salvador III and lawyer Karen Jimeno.
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LOBBYING . . . Corona Chief Defense Counsel, former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas expressed alarm over reports that President Noynoy Aquino is lobbying Senator Judges to vote to impeach Chief Justice Corona. Charges that Senators have been offered bigger pork barrel funds have been made. Malacañang has, of course, denied the charges.
There are no secrets in politics and government. Reliable reports say that DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas, a former Senator, has personally approached his former colleagues.
This will be a no holds fight. Expect friends of Chief Justice Corona to do their own share of lobbying.
I have confidence the Senators will retain their independence and will be fair as promised by Senate President Ponce Enrile.
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NO RELEASES . . . Many funds for schools and public buildings, including irrigation systems destroyed by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng were not released, obviously due to the policy of President Aquino to generate savings and to reduce the deficit.
This is a bad policy. Typhoon damage must be immediately repaired. Typhoon assistance to farmers must also be immediately paid out to enable them to plant again. This neglect is another major reason why we have a big number of hungry families, especially in the rural areas.
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TIDBITS. . . Text Question: Was the P-Noy presscon on a terror threat part of the “Bourne Legacy” movie script?
The Department of Tourism came out with the slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” If the first 2 weeks is any indicator of the things to come, it is more likely that there will be no fun for the ordinary citizen.
Greetings to CDO Airport Manager Mohammed Naga Rascal, Alongan Nasser, Cong. Bart Balmonte, Mayor Lawrence Cruz, Vice Mayor Henry Dy and Patty Sipangan.