Defense chief backs Bohol mayor

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin backed yesterday the stand of Maribojoc, Bohol Mayor Leoncio Evasco for the equal distribution of relief goods and that in times of emergency and disasters local executives must be in charge.

“Our protocol is very clear,” Gazmin said. “What is needed here is coordination, which is very important. You can do your thing, but you coordinate with local government executives as they know the place, they know the people.”

Evasco had stopped the Philippine Red Cross from distributing relief goods in his town for failing to coordinate with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Gazmin said in times of crises, local governments have the authority from the regional, provincial, municipal and down to the barangay level.

Donations must go through a process so  everyone can get a fair share, he added.

Gazmin said food and non-food supplies are enough for the government’s relief operations for earthquake victims in Bohol, and that they are being air dropped to barangays that cannot be reached by land.

The distribution of relief goods is very systematic for everybody to get a fair share on a regular basis, he added.

Gazmin said one food pack can serve the need of one family of five people for two days, and that after two days another distribution round will be made.

So far the provincial government has already conducted three distribution rounds of relief goods to the affected towns, he added. 

Since the election period in Bohol starts today and ends on Dec. 10,

the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)  has sought authority from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to handle the distribution of all government relief in the earthquake-affected areas.

However, Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said the Red Cross might not be capable of the task.

 â€œIt’s OK if you are capable,” he said. 

“(But) we think you are not.  You better come over first and prove to us that you are capable. In the meantime since election period will start (today), let’s follow first the resolution.”

Brillantes was referring to Comelec Resolution No. 9804, promulgated last Oct. 24: “All releases in relation to the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the province of Bohol, normally or usually coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other office/department of the government performing similar functions shall be turned over to, and administered and disbursed by the PRC, subject to the supervision of the Commission on Audit.” – With Sheila Crisostomo