Tacloban Mass Grave, Barangay Basper, Tacloban City
November 8, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the wreath-laying ceremony in the Tacloban Mass Grave on the 3rd year commemoration of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Barangay Basper, Tacloban City.

In his speech, the President expressed his disappointment in the slow response and improvement of the government projects for the victims of the super typhoon.

“Indolence is a part of corruption. When you are paid for eight hours to do your work, magtrabaho ka ng eight hours. Do not short change the public… I am sorry. I do not want to offend anybody. I am not satisfied,” he stressed.

He called the attention of the current Presidential Assistant for Visayas, Mike Dino, and instructed him to hasten and finish the housing projects by December this year for those who were affected by the onslaught of the super typhoon.

“I want these things completed. I will be back. Babalik pa ako… I will be back in December. Mike, by December, gusto kong makalipat na lahat,” he said.

Because of the President’s disappointment in the slow completion of government processes and projects, he urged all the offices, from the highest level to the smallest, to secure a routine slip.

“I must admit that government has fallen short. Very short to the expectations of the people. Dapat ‘yang Yolanda, one year after tapos na ‘yan lahat… I ask everybody to cooperate. Kindly cooperate. Do not delay government projects,” he added.

Prior to his speech, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio ‘Jun’ Evasco reported the government’s effort to improve the disaster risk reduction and management in the area.

“The presence of the representatives of both the national and local government today led by no less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself is a symbol of this administration’s commitment to continue bettering the lives of the people in the Yolanda corridor. That is why, with the past month, we have been working very closely with key stakeholders in the area who listened to engage and collaborate on how we can improve and better the area,” he spelled out.

President Duterte was joined by several of his Cabinet members and the local government officials of Tacloban City in the event.

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