EDITORIAL - Devastated and now abandoned

Nearly two weeks ago, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Central Visayas, with the bulk of destruction centered on the island of Negros where, aside from lives lost and homes flattened, huge tracts of farmlands were also wiped out and vital infrastructure crippled.

 President Aquino flew to Negros a few days later to survey the damage but must not have been struck by what he saw, judging by the amount of assistance he gave. Aquino only gave P5.7 million to Dumaguete and P3.3 million to Guihulngan.

 Any help, of course, is welcome. But if Cebu province can give P7 million to Negros Oriental and another P3.25 million to the towns of Guihulngan, Tayasan, Bindoy, Jimalalud and La Libertad, plus another P3 million worth of relief goods, how can Aquino only give P9 million?

 In fairness, the president promised to fix the crippled infrastructure, but that is a long-term response to a need that requires immediate attention such as food, medicine, clothing, and places to live in — all of which require huge amounts of available money.

 The private response in this regard is so much better, with Cebu-based media, civic and business organizations leading the charge, raising several millions of pesos worth of cash and relief goods.

 The footprint left by the national government, particularly the president, was woefully small and insignificant. But maybe it was because that was exactly how the president appreciated the disaster.

 His visit was timed with his birthday, the better for photo-ops than a real look-see. And when he flew home and dusted off the sweat, he plunged head-long into the more pressing concerns of state, such as his Valentine’s plans for his latest flame, and the impeachment trial.

With regard to the latter, Aquino has dropped all pretenses and is now openly calling the shots from Malacañang while the poor people of Negros scramble for food and water. The president is done with them.