‘Sabong’ approach does not help relief operations

I write to clarify the statements attributed to me in the banner story of the Inquirer’s Dec. 27 issue. There were two quotes attributed to me:

1. “It’s obvious the main responsible authority on this is the LGU (local government unit) and therefore this is something they are already correcting” […]

2. “She added it was also ‘common sense’ that the victims should not have been in areas at risk of flooding.”

I was interviewed over the phone by Leila Salaverria. The conversation centered on what the government had done by way of warning the people and I informed her that as early as 2006, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources had denied the application of the city council to declare Isla de Oro alienable and disposable. The geohazard map was given and explained to the local government units, including the affected areas, by the DENR and the Office of Civil Defense. It was in this context that I explained that based on the local government code and the disaster risk reduction management council law, the local government unit is the responsible authority to undertake risk reduction measures. The tone of the conversation was informative rather than finger-pointing.

I appeal to the Inquirer and other media practitioners; the sabong (cockfight) approach does not help when we in the national and local government are trying to rise above our differences—political persuasions and alliances, governance styles, development approaches—to work together and address the most pressing and difficult task of relief and early recovery. President Aquino has created a task force to investigate the causes of the tragedy, emphasizing that in the first quarter of 2011 he had declared a total log ban. This effort builds on the climate change mitigation and adaptation plan that he recently signed in Albay.  It is more helpful if the reportage is true to balanced news and fearless views. The research on what government has been doing before the tragedy was very thin.

Finally, I wish to correct the impression that the quote on “common sense” may have been given as a flippant explanation for a very serious and sad incident. Helping people see and acknowledge and use their power to transform their families and communities is a very complex process. Therefore, it must be treated with respect.

—CORAZON JULIANO-SOLIMAN,

secretary, Department of

Social Welfare and Development