SONA 2014: PNoy justifies govt response to Yolanda in fifth SONA

Months after super typhoon Yolanda ravaged central Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III on Monday used his fifth State of the Nation Address to justify his government's response to the disaster.

 

Addressing a joint session of Congress, Aquino said his government exerted all efforts to "stabilize" the situation in Yolanda-hit areas as soon as possible.

 

"Kung baga sa emergency room, ibinuhos ng estado ang lahat ng kapangyarihan upang maistabilize ang pasyente," the President said.

 

Just last March, Aquino apologized to Yolanda survivors for the government's slow response in the typhoon's aftermath. 

At the time, Aquino was quoted as saying during an open forum at the Hope Christian High School in Manila:  "I apologize if we couldn't act even faster." 

 

But in his SONA, Aquino maintained that water and fuel supply were already made available, and rapid health assistance teams and repacking centers were put in place days after the typhoon. 

 

The President also said that the rehabilitation plan for Yolanda survivors is already in place.

 

Last year, the Aquino administration was heavily criticized for its slow response and supposed lack of coordination in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, which left 6,200 dead and damaged P39 billion worth of properties after ripping through central Philippines. 

 

In a Senate hearing last March, Commission on Audit chairperson Grace Pulido Tan said her agency observed "chaos" in the government's emergency relief efforts in Yolanda's aftermath. — RSJ, GMA News