Robredo: Assistance is goal of Odette relief efforts, not politics

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday underscored that disaster relief and assistance, not politics, is her goal in visiting the areas hit by Typhoon Odette, and vowed her commitment to help affected families.

“Hindi po politika ‘yung aking sadya ngayon. Hindi po namin pinag-usapan nila gov, nila mayor, vice mayor kung ano ‘yung susuportahan during the election. ‘Yung pinaka sadya ko lang po talaga mapaabot ‘yung tulong,” Robredo told the reporters during her visit to Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, where she and her team provided typhoon victims with relief assistance and food.

(My intention is not politics. I did not talk to the governor, mayor, or vice mayor about their support during the election. My only intention is to help.)

The vice president also expressed gratitude to local officials for providing support during the distribution of relief assistance.

“Alam naman po natin na pag panahon ng sakuna hindi dapat tinitingnan kung ano ‘yung kulay ng pulitika. Dapat lahat lahat ng nangangailangan tinutulungan at lahat na puwedeng tumulong ay magkaisa,” she said.

(We know that during natural calamities, we should not look at the color of politics. Everyone in need should be helped and everyone who can help should be united.)

In the days since Odette hit, Robredo has also visited the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Dinagat Islands, and Cebu, and vowed that she or her team will make it to all areas hit by the typhoon.

Robredo also said that several celebrities have pledged support for her initiative in giving relief supplies to the typhoon victims.

“Napakaraming artista ngayon na nag-pledge ng support. In fact, iba sa kanila nagre-repack sa volunteer center natin, ang iba po sa kanila sumasama sa pa-lugaw, ang iba sa kanila ‘yung mga hindi ko napupuntahan dahil nasa iba ‘kong lugar sila ‘yung nagsu-surrogate sa akin,” she said.

(There are so many artists today who have pledged support. In fact, some of them repack at our volunteer center, some of them helped to give porridge, while others go to places where I haven't gone yet and act as a surrogate for me.)

“So sobrang overwhelmed po tayo with the outpouring of support ngayon. Pero ang pakiusap po natin sa kanila na huwag muna ‘yung kampanya, unahin muna namin itong relief operations,” she added.

(We are very overwhelmed with the outpouring of support today. But we ask them not to do the campaign first, we will prioritize relief operations.)

Robredo on Friday visited typhoon-hit communities in Bohol to provide relief and assess the situation in the area.

The vice president also earlier joined the call of Senator Manny Pacquiao to set aside politics and band together to help typhoon victims. — BM, GMA News