Pinoy Weekly | Yolanda/Haiyan victims join hands to demand justice

Posted: 28 Nov 2013 09:19 PM PST

Relatives and survivors of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan light candles in solidarity of fellow victims. He also demand justice for the alleged criminal negligence of the government in responding to calamity victims. (Macky Macaspac)

Relatives and survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda/Haiyan who had evacuated to Manila joined hands with other victim-survivors of previous calamities to form a national network to seek justice for the government’s “criminal negligence and ineptitude” in times of natural disasters.

Together with victim-survivors of  typhoons Ondoy, Pablo and Habagat, Yolanda victims formed Tindog Network and pushed for a five point  demand focusing on issues of food, livelihood and justice.  In a letter to President Benigno Aquino,  the group demanded the following:

A member of Tindog Network holds a copy of the letter they sent to Pres. Aquino, while offering candles for victims of typhoon Yolanda. (Macky Macaspac)

1. Hasten rescue and relief operations for the victims of Yolanda;

2. Give the dead decent burial;

3. Ensure adequate supply of the basic needs of typhoon victims;

4. Allocate funds for the livelihood of victims of calamity; and

5. Give immediate financial assistance and just compensation to victims families.

“Our government has the biggest responsibility and capacity to respond to needs of the calamity victims,” said Mark Louie Aquino, one of the convenors of Tindog Network.  Aquino said that with vast powers, resources and machinery at the disposal of the president, he (Pres. Aquino) can resolve and prevent immense tragedy and damage wrought by natural calamities.

“But it seems the Aquino government’s response to the needs of the victims has been too slow and inadequate. Every day, more people die, get sick, go hungry and lose hope. Typhoon Yolanda quickly left us, but calamity on the lives of typhoon victims persists and worsens,” Aquino said.

The group also condemned the announcement of  Sec. Dinky Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to end distribution of relief  package by December 31, 2013.  “This only shows the criminal neglect of the Aquino government to the suffering people,” the group said.

Soliman clarifed in media reports that relief distribution will be continued — but only for survivors who have who do not have means to support themselves. “Tuluy-tuloy po ang pamimigay, pero ‘yung mga pamilyang nasa cash for work at food for work program na, hindi na bibigyan kasi may kakayahan na silang kumita,” Soliman said in media interview.

Meanwhile, Joms Salvador, secretary general of Gabriela, criticized DSWD’s supposed cash-for-work program, as many victims like those from farming and fishing communities are ill-equipped for work offered by the government such as construction work. Furthermore, even the work to be offered will likely be on a temporary or contractual basis only.