PHNO-HL: AQUINO: NO 'INSTANT NOODLE' SOLUTION TO FLOODS

AQUINO: NO 'INSTANT NOODLE' SOLUTION TO
FLOODS


[PHOTO -Workers and residents of Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City clear
Araneta Avenue of debris and garbage as floodwaters subside following days of
heavy rains. EDD GUMBAN]
MANILA, AUGUST 11, 2012 (PHILSTAR) By Aurea Calica - President Aquino
appealed to the people yesterday not to lose hope despite the latest disaster
that hit the country, saying the government is addressing their plight but that
results would not come as quickly as "instant noodles."
"I can't figure out if your faces show you're sad or still in fighting mode.

Do you still have the fighting spirit? Or are we giving up? Do not surrender.
The government is here to help you, that is why it is called government, to take
care of you," Aquino said.
He said he did not want the people – especially those he visited in
evacuation centers in Marikina, Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela and Malabon –
to expect instant results like the relocation of informal settlers or
construction of catch basins and dikes.
"There are no immediate solutions. This is not 'instant noodles' and solution
is not instant," Aquino said.
The President was received warmly in his visits as he told them the
government would not neglect them and would continue to serve them.
Aquino said he was happy that the sun was beginning to shine yesterday, just
as the weather bureau had stated in its forecast.
But he said various measures undertaken by the government had mitigated flood
problems and prevented another flooding on the scale of the one caused by
tropical storm "Ondoy" in September 2009.
But he said he expects disaster preparedness to improve further before the
end of his term in 2016.
Aquino also said the national government is partnering with local officials
to ensure more effective implementation of flood-control programs.
He also cautioned the people not to let themselves get misled by false
information during calamities.
"We are here to give you a little peace of mind)," Aquino said in Filipino.

In Valenzuela, the President briefly met his former girlfriend, City
Councilor Shalani Soledad-Romulo.
Aquino acknowledged his ex-flame – now married to Pasig City Rep. Roman
Romulo – eliciting cheers from the crowd.
He thanked the people of Valenzuela for their warm reception and strong
support even if he was not able to come back to personally thank them after the
2010 elections. Soledad-Romulo campaigned for the President as his girlfriend at
the time.
But the presence of the President's supposed senatorial candidates in the
2013 elections also drew as much attention – and raised eyebrows.
With the President during his visits to affected areas were Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority Joel Villanueva, former Akbayan
party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros, and Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara.
The three were also with the President on Wednesday along with another
reported senatorial bet of the administration, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon
and his father, former senator and Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon.



Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved




PHILIPPINE
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