DAVAO CITY – An official from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed hope that the recent visit of President Benigno Aquino III to typhoon-hit provinces would bring “substantial support” and not just “ceremonial aid”.
Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of the National Secretariat of Social Action and Caritas Philippines said that while he was thankful for President Aquino’s visit, he also expected “decisive leadership” in responding to the needs of those affected by the typhoon.
“We hope that his visit will not only be ceremonial, but must bring substantial support from the government to respond to the extreme emergency with fullest possible efficiency,” Gariguez said.
Gariguez said there is a need to mobilize all available help from the government and international humanitarian community “especially in the spirit of Christmas”.
President Aquino yesterday visited Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro and Laoang in Northern Samar, two of the hardest-hit areas where Typhoon Nona made several landfalls. The president also declared a state of national calamity in the aftermath of the devastation. (davaotoday.com)
