Bishop Bactol urges gov’t to hasten rehab

CEBU, Philippines - Bishop Filomeno Bactol of the Diocese of Naval in Biliran province lamented on the slow response of the national government in typhoon Yolanda-devastated areas of the Visayas.

Bactol observed that the people of Biliran province and other towns in Leyte within his jurisdiction did not feel the presence of the government. "The government should hasten the rehabilitation efforts," he said.

The prelate also told The Freeman about his disappointment over the poor performance of the cabinet member, who is in-charge of the implementation of rehabilitation, saying that it is only in the papers and other means of communications that the government is doing well, "not in the ground."

Bactol said that, had it not been for the Diocese of Novaliches through Bishop Antonio Tobias, other dioceses, lay people and good- hearted people who responded immediately after the typhoon, the victims within his area might have suffered more.

The Diocese of Novaliches has been helping the Vicariate of Calubian (Diocese of Naval) in livelihood and education. These sectors were given weight by Bactol as important keys in bolstering the quick recovery and normalization of the affected families in the Visayas region.

"Yes, the Filipinos knew that funding have been allocated for such programs, however the lapse of time from the announcement of the availability (of the funds) to the implementation, which is yet to be done, remains in snail-pace movement. Delay in reaching out to victims also mean the people's continued sufferings," he said in commenting on the rehabilitation funds. (FREEMAN)