San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora has criticized the critics of the guidelines the city government passed on the operation and maintenance of its evacuation centers saying these do not prohibit or impede anyone from helping San Juaneños in times of disaster and calamities.
Mayor Francis Zamora
Zamora made the statement Tuesday, September 3, in response to the comments of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito criticizing City Ordinance No. 26 or the Guidelines on the Operation and Maintenance of Evacuation Centers in Response to Human-Induced or Natural Disaster in the City of San Juan, Metro Manila.
The senators, in their respective Facebook posts, slammed some of the ordinance's guidelines, specifically the imposition of a P5,000 penalty on those who will violate the ordinance and requiring an "Entry Permit" from the mayor for those who wish to visit and donate to the evacuees.
Zamora explained that the ordinance was unanimously approved by the city council and is a local law ensuring the order and safety of its residents who are staying in evacuation centers.
"Sa panahon ngayon, lalo na't tayo ay nagdaan lamang sa isang matinding pandemya, mahalagang isaalang alang ng ating lokal na pamahalaan ang maraming sakit na mabilis kumalat at maging pangkalahatang kaayusan sa loob ng ating mga evacuation centers. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit dapat may mangasiwa ng maigi at macoordinate ang lahat ng papahintulutang bumisita dito para masunod ang lahat ng protocols na umiiral (During this time when we just recovered from a devastating pandemic, it is important for the local government to be stern in monitoring highly-contagious diseases as well as the overall order of our evacuation centers. This is the reason why there is a need for proper coordination with all those who are permitted to visit the centers to ensure that all protocols are being observed)," Zamora said.
"Napakahalaga din na masuri ng maigi ang lahat ng donasyon o tulong sapagkat responsibilidad ng lokal na pamahalaan na siguraduhing ligtas at maayos ang pagkain, inumin, at gamot na ibinabahagi sa lahat ng nasa loob ng evacuation centers, ito man ay hain ng lokal na pamahalaan o ng donors. Responsibilidad din ng lokal na pamahalaan na siguraduhing manatili ang kaayusan at maiwasan ang ano mang kaguluhan sa loob ng Evacuation Centers lalo na kapag oras na ng pamamahagi. Maging ang tamang accounting at inventory ng mga donasyon ay responsibilidad din ng lokal na pamahalaan (It is also important to check all donations and forms of help as it is the responsibility of the local government to ensure that all food, drinks, and medicines being distributed to those inside the evacuation centers are all safe and in good condition, regardless if they are from the local government or from donors. The peace and order inside evacuation centers are also the responsibility of the local government especially in times of distribution, as well as the correct accounting and inventory of all donations," he added.
The mayor noted that everyone is welcome to donate to San Juaneños in times of need such as when Typhoon Carina hit Metro Manila that caused massive flooding throughout the National Capital Region (NCR).
"Maraming mga indibidwal at iba’t ibang organisasyon ang bumisita at nagpaabot ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan na nasa loob ng ating mga evacuation centers noon. Ito ay naisagawa sa pamamagitan ng simpleng pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating lokal na pamahalaan. At ang lahat ng ito ay nagresulta sa maayos, ligtas, tahimik, at pantay-pantay na pamamahagi ng tulong sa lahat ng nangangailangang nasalanta ng bagyo, maging noong panahon na may nasunugan. Kaya naman sa lahat ng nais tumulong, lagi pong bukas ang ating pamahalaan para makipag-ugnayan sa inyo. Sumunod lang po tayo at respetuhin ang ating mga umiiral na batas, lokal man o nasyonal. Ito po ay ipinasa para sa kaligtasan at kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan (A lot of individuals and organizations visited and distributed aid to our people in evacuation centers before and this was done through coordination with our local government. The coordination resulted in the safe, orderly, and equal distribution of aid to all who were affected by the typhoon and even those hit by fire. Hence, to all those who wish to help, our city government is always open to coordinate with you and your efforts. Let's all follow and respect the laws of both the local and national governments to safeguard the safety and welfare of the public)," Zamora stressed.