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| President Benigno S. Aquino III, on a televised nationwide broadcast Monday night, (November 11) declares a state of national calamity in the country a day after visited to the devastated areas of Tacloban and Capiz caused by super typhoon Yolanda. |
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda stressed this amid suggestions to just shoot the suspected looters.
"Siguro ang pulis dinagdagan natin to make sure the peace and order situation in Tacloban City can be restored. Ito ang iniutos ng Pangulo, nagpadala siya ng karagdagang kapulisan (We sent additional police personnel to the affected areas to ensure peace and order. That's why the President issued such an order, to send more police personnel)," he said at a media briefing.
Added police personnel had been deployed to Tacloban City following reports of looting and lawlessness, after the city was devastated by typhoon Yolanda.
Lacierda pointed out that the 800 additional police personnel will be replaced by another batch after one to two weeks, to ensure peace and order will be maintained.
Besides, Lacierda said communication facilities are being restored in Leyte, and roads are being cleared to allow the entry of relief goods.
He also reassured those affected by Yolanda that the government will not leave them even if their areas are inaccessible.
"We are not going to leave one living person behind. Tutulungan naming sila (We'll help them) no matter how difficult, no matter how inaccessible," Lacierda said. PND
Palace appeals for vigilance vs those repacking relief goods
Malacañang on Tuesday appealed to the public for vigilance against politicians or officials repacking relief goods to make it appear the items came from them.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda encouraged the public to take photos of such practices as part of the country's growing "anti-epal" culture.
"Malakas ang ating anti-epal culture sa Pilipinas. The media has been very aggressive and vigorous in making sure no epal will take place especially in times of calamity (We already have a strong anti-epal culture in the Philippines. The media has been very aggressive and vigorous in making sure no epal will take place especially in times of calamity)," he said at a media briefing.
He said that in the case of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, it uses unmarked containers or those marked with its logo.
Lacierda said those who see parties repacking relief goods to make it appear they were the donors to take photos for public censure.
The government continues to deliver relief goods to residents affected by Yolanda, which battered parts of Visayas and Southern Luzon last week.
It is also clearing roads and restoring power and communication facilities to areas isolated by the typhoon. PND
Palace thanks foreign neighbors, Filipinos abroad for help to Yolanda victims
Malacañang on Tuesday thanked the Philippines' neighbors in the international community as well as Filipinos based abroad for sending in assistance to victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the show of solidarity gives Filipinos comfort and a sense that they are not alone in their efforts to recover from the tragedy.
"Malaking bagay ang solidarity ng maraming bansa sa Pilipinas (The solidarity shown by many countries means a lot to us). Certainly it gives us comfort that we are not alone in this fight to rehabilitate affected areas in providing relief goods. And therefore we are very thankful for countries that pledged assistance to us," Lacierda said at a media briefing.
So far, he said at least 28 of the Philippines' neighbors have indicated or pledged help for the victims of Yolanda.
"It lifts our spirits. we know that many countries are willing to help us. Malaking consolation yan sa atin (It's a big consolation for us)," he added.
He said one of the latest show of solidarity was a call by UK Prime Minister David Cameron to President Benigno S. Aquino III last Sunday night (Manila time).
Lacierda also thanked Filipinos both at home and abroad who had given their time and effort to help their less fortunate fellow Filipinos.
"Yan ay isang malaking kagaanan sa ating kalooban (This greatly lifts our spirits). In spite of struggles, we are not alone," he said.
He added that with President Aquino's call to keep calm and pray, "together with international assistance we shall prevail and overcome this tragedy." PND
Cabinet officials already helping Yolanda victims in own little way, Palace says
Members of President Benigno Aquino III's Cabinet are already helping the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in their own little way, a Malacañang official said Tuesday.
But Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Cabinet members are not likely to publicize what they have done to help, saying this would be self-serving.
"A number of Cabinet officials had done something not only in terms of money but in terms of time and effort," he said at a media briefing.
However, he added that it is "not very Filipino to say what you've done."
"We'd rather do it in confidence. We'd rather not say what we plan to do," he said.
Meanwhile, Lacierda reiterated the government continues to work to help the victims of Yolanda, regardless of political affiliation.
"Nagtutulungan tayo regardless of political affiliation (We should be helping each other regardless of political affiliation). No Filipino would be left behind," he said. PND
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