President Duterte has apologized to typhoon victims in Negros Oriental for the "delayed relief operations" during his recent visit to the province Wednesday, Dec. 29, wherein he distributed relief goods and cash aid.
"My brothers and sisters, let me start by asking for your forgiveness because government’s relief operations were delayed. This is because there’s a law that hinders me from declaring a state of calamity that will enable me to use government funds to buy everything you need," the President said in Negrenses' vernacular.
Duterte explained that the distribution of relief packs to the victims of typhoon "Odette" took time due to the assessment and reports that had to be accomplished and submitted before he could declare a state of calamity. The declaration hastens the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of government.
"So that’s the problem there. I can’t use the money without the report and neither (sic) can I make a declaration," he said.
"Please forgive us because government is very strict when it comes to that. I would not want to compromise also the people here distributing the aid if the system is not followed because they might go to jail for that," he added.
The President visited the province on Wednesday, to personally assess the damage of the deadly typhoon, which first struck the country on Dec. 16.
During his visit, tarpaulin sheets, family food packs, kitchenware, and financial assistance amounting to P5,000 for each household were given away.
Duterte reminded the affected families to only use the cash aid for their basic needs and discouraged them from spending it on vices.
"This money is intended for the family, especially the children. Don’t mess with me by using the money to purchase alcoholic drinks. If you do that, I’ll come back here for you and punch you," the President warned.
He also told the typhoon victims that he will "deploy a few officials from the national government" to help them rebuild their houses, adding that the government will also provide tin roofs and lumber.
"Just use a chainsaw to make lumber. Use it to gradually repair your houses. The tin roofs will arrive soon...Just reserve the money for small expenses, just to get through the situation and to slowly rebuild your houses," he said.
Duterte has visited other typhoon-affected areas such as Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Siargao, and Negros Occidental.
On Dec. 21, he placed Regions IV-B, VI, VII, VIII, X and XIII under a state of calamity.
READ MORE: 6 regions placed under state of calamity