Emano willing to face probe on disaster
MANILA, Philippines – Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Mayor Vicente Emano defended himself against allegations he did not take action despite warnings Tropical Storm Sendong will hit the area. There are also claims Emano mishandled relief operations.
In an interview on ANC’s Headstart on Tuesday, Emano asserted the local government did its part in urging residents near rivers to flee to safer ground.
“Mahina lang yung ulan. It started to rain heavy ng 5 p.m. biglang bumaha. We should be blaming the logging that has persisted in this area pero we’re politicizing the whole thing,” Emano said
Sendong probe
Emano said he’s willing to face any investigation on Sendong, saying the criticisms against him are politically motivated.
“Ang naipon kong collection P51 million. Lahat nakatala sa bulletin board. And if they think I have mishandled it, they can investigate me,” he added.
“Yung pangalan na lumabas sa Philippine Daily Inquirer kahapon, puro kalaban sa politika iyan, yung iba natalo ko sa eleksyon, siguro gumaganti, ginagawa akong whipping boy sa lahat. I’m willing to face any investigation. I have not done anything wrong. I’m taking the blame just to stop all this. Let’s just work together for the sake of Cagayan de Oro.”
No gambling
He also denied claims he was gambling at the height of Sendong, saying he was on patrol.
“That’s what was spreading here. I was in the town, I don’t even know how to play poker. I was in the streets, with people until 5 a.m. Politiko po ito, and it’s so sad, amid all this sadness destruction and death, pumapasok ang pulitika.”
Emano said he is grateful for the assistance coming from from the national government, especially following the visit of President Aquino.
“I’d like to thank him for the P50 million he’s given me and for coming, and I hope there would be more of his assistance. It doesn’t have to pass thru me. For as long as it would help the city of Cagayan de Oro, it would be most welcome.”
‘Not the time to bash each other’
Brushing aside the attacks against him, Emano said he remains committed to helping his people.
“I hope we could be more circumspect not to inject politics into all these affairs. We could just try to work together for now. There is a time to bash each others head, a time to work together and help the city to rise to what it was before the flood.”
Now, evacuees in several schools have begun moving out of evacuation centers and into temporary shelters, until the local government completes the construction for their permanent relocation.
“Ngayong umaga, we started transferring many of the evacuees to the tent city… until we finish relocation site and the construction of units,” Emano said.
“The education department said they can proceed with the opening of classes without getting the evacuees out from where they are today and without disturbing the flow of classes for our students.”
