Missing in action? Noy shrugs off critics

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday shrugged off criticisms that he was missing in action at the height of the heavy monsoon rains, pointing out the government was now more prepared to address disasters.

Aquino also said this should be time for Filipinos to come together and help each other as he visited evacuees in Biñan and San Pedro, Laguna, as well as in Mandaluyong City and led the distribution of relief goods.

“At the end of the day, the proof is in the pudding. If the government failed, I suppose I would get the blame left and right. If the government is doing something good now, maybe I can be part of that,” Aquino said.

He lamented there were still people who died because of the heavy rains and floods, but noted the significant decrease in casualties.

“Of course, in every casualty, it’s not okay and we still want to reduce that. It was good news that no one was isolated in the sense that we could not reach them,” Aquino said.

“It seems all communities that are affected as reported to us have been reached and attended to,” the President told reporters while leading the distribution of relief goods in Mandaluyong Elementary School that served as an evacuation center.

In Biñan, where he visited Dela Paz Elementary School, Aquino said the government was ready for this calamity.

“Let us not worry, we have a lot of resources that we can use to bring back everything in order in the soonest time possible,” Aquino said.

At the Landayan covered court in San Pedro, Laguna, Aquino said problems would ease if everyone would help each other.

He said it was good that Tropical Storm Maring, which induced the heavy rains that pummeled Luzon and Metro Manila for days, was on its way out of the country, although more rains were expected.

He said in the past two days the monsoon rains induced by Maring brought an unusual amount of rainfall that was equivalent to a month’s downpour, inundating many areas in Luzon.

Aquino said he would be able to visit more affected areas once the weather improves further. – With Ed Amoroso