LILOAN Mayor Aljew Frasco denied social media allegations that his local government unit (LGU) blocked Cebu Provincial Government aid trucks in Barangay Cotcot.
Frasco said he issued no such order, confirmed coordination with the Capitol and said his office received medical supplies from the governor’s office on Sunday, Nov. 9, and Monday, Nov. 10.
Earlier, a resident of Villa Azalea Subdivision in Barangay Cotcot called on Liloan to set aside politics after it allegedly blocked the entry of a truck carrying relief goods and volunteers from the Provincial Government conducting relief operations, claiming that responders were asked to secure municipal clearance before being allowed to proceed.
Allegation
In a Facebook post on Monday, a user identified as Tabs Jv Ve said provincial personnel sent to Villa Azalea were prevented from entering their community to remove debris and mud left by typhoon Tino.
In an uploaded video in his Facebook post, around three Capitol trucks with tarpaulins saying “Disaster Response” can be seen on standby.
“Please lang, ayaw ninyo sudli og politika nahitabo namo karon... need lang namo malimpyohan kay one week na gikan sa hitabo walay tabang gikan ninyo... ang mga sakyanan ga-ali na, nya lapok kaayo, dili me ka move forward (Please, don’t get politics involved in what’s happening to us right now. We just need the area to be cleaned because it’s been a week since the incident and we haven’t received any help from you. The vehicles are stuck, and it’s very muddy we can’t move forward),” read part of the uploader’s caption, appealing for the local government to allow all forms of help regardless of political affiliation.
“Please, LGU (local government unit) Liloan, let’s accept whatever help comes from outside. Let’s not politicize things — even if they’re from the opposing party, save that for the elections, not now because we’re working hard to recover. We’re just poor people asking for your help to clean up so we can breathe and move on,” he added in Cebuano.
The post, which drew several reactions online, claimed that almost 1,500 households in the subdivision have been unable to clear their surroundings a week after the typhoon due to the lack of assistance.
“Fake news”
Mayor Frasco, however, denied the allegations, saying no such directive came from his office.
“Dili kini tinuod. Ako isip mayor walay gisugo nga pababagan o pangayoan og permit ang Province of Cebu o kinsa man nga grupo aron makasulod sa mga typhoon-affected areas,” Frasco said in a Facebook statement posted on late Monday night.
(This is not true. As mayor, I did not give any order to block or require a permit from the Province of Cebu or any group to enter the typhoon-affected areas.)
Frasco said the video was fake news and that the Municipal Government has been coordinating with the Provincial Government.
“Yesterday, Nov. 9, I personally received the medicines from the Province here at the mayor’s office… Earlier today, Nov. 10, they also delivered another batch of medicines,” Frasco said.
The mayor reiterated that all aid is welcome in Liloan and encouraged residents to report anyone who may have obstructed relief or clearing operations.
“I did not give any order, nor was there any instruction from me or from the Liloan LGU, to prevent the Province of Cebu trucks from entering. Everyone is welcome, as we have even called on the public for help since we are in need of assistance,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Government, through its official Facebook page on Tuesday, Nov. 11, confirmed that at least 20 heavy equipment units are operating in Liloan to expedite post-typhoon clearing works.
According to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Dennis Pastor, the fleet includes six backhoes, three loaders, six dump trucks, one bobcat and four boom trucks from contractors coordinated by the Province and Dr. Janos Vizcayno, along with additional units arranged by the LGU, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The AFP has also deployed personnel to assist in retrieval and clearing operations that resumed on Monday, the Capitol said. / CDF