Noy to critics: Bahala si Lord sa inyo, busy ako

TOKYO – Amid the numerous problems besetting the country, President Aquino has a message for his critics: “Bahala na si Lord sa inyo, busy ako (Let the Lord deal with you, I’m busy).”

Speaking before the Filipino community at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center here, Aquino said as the nation’s leader, he could not give in to despair and hopelessness even if there was temptation to do so.

“We cannot lose hope, even with some who are getting annoying and playing politics,” Aquino said in Filipino, referring to criticism of the government’s efforts to help Typhoon Yolanda victims.

He said the government was looking into reasons why there were many fatalities in some areas compared to others.

“Those critics already have an industry in the Philippines. It’s easier for them to write and hit anyone. They should take our place and try to do what they can. The problem is they don’t want to run (for a government position),” Aquino said in Filipino as the audience applauded and cheered him.

Aquino said 2013 has brought a lot of problems, especially natural and man-made calamities.

He said another problem would crop up even before he could resolve the first one.

He cited a particular criticism that he and his people did not really sleep in a tent after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Bohol and other parts of the Visayas in October and after Super Typhoon Yolanda struck last month.

After Yolanda, he said 240 to 260 transmission towers of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines collapsed and some P120 billion to P130 billion was needed for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas hit by the typhoon.

The President commended Filipinos for their unwavering spirit and thanked both those at home and abroad for helping fellow Filipinos affected by the calamities.

He said many affected areas are now working to recover from the devastation brought about by Yolanda.