President Bongbong Marcos has called out local officials who were reportedly absent or inactive during the onslaught of Typhoon Uwan, emphasizing through the Palace Press Office that disaster response requires full attention and presence from leaders.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos does not accept this kind of behavior from public officials. “Hindi niya (Marcos) po gusto na ang mga liderato ay chill-chill lang. So, dapat talaga ang trabaho ay para sa taumbayan kasi ang taumbayan umaasa po sa gobyerno lalo na sa mga ganitong klaseng sitwasyon at kondisyon. So, hindi puwedeng sabihin lang na chill-chill lang palagi dahil dapat trabaho, trabaho – hindi bakasyon,” Castro said.
Castro clarified that while some local officials went abroad during the storms, it does not necessarily mean they were on vacation. However, she said that government leaders must stay in their communities during calamities to guide and assist their constituents.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) named several officials who were out of the country during Typhoons Tino and Uwan, including Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano V and Batanes Governor Jun Aguto. Several executives from Cebu were also reported to be absent from their areas during the storms.
