‘Noy administration not calloused’

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino maintains that his administration is not “calloused” and will continue to be proactive in addressing the needs of Filipinos, especially those affected by calamities.

Aquino made this statement on various occasions when he visited Bohol, which was devastated by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, on Wednesday and Thursday.

The President said that from distributing relief goods to ensuring the safety of homes and offering flexible terms for housing loans, his administration would not just do things automatically but with care for the people.

“I suppose, especially this government, is not calloused, isn’t it? It is not insensitive,” Aquino said.

He also promised that his government and officials would not be part of the problem but rather provide solutions to alleviate the plight of those affected by the quake.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. also said during the awarding ceremony for the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees for 2013 last Thursday in Malacañang that Aquino himself is leading public servants in showing concern, especially to those affected by calamities.

Ochoa said that in this way, no public servants could give excuses because the President himself would know the situation on the ground even if various government agencies have responded for rescue, disaster, relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Currently, he said, about 3,300 civil servants are attending to the needs of the people of Bohol.

He added, however, that “in a country that is hit by natural calamities on a yearly basis, where 20 or so typhoons wreak havoc to our capital and the countryside, it is easy to take for granted that on a regular basis, thousands of government employees risk life and limb to help Filipinos trapped in floods and high-risk areas.”