At the height of the government’s program to lead the rehabilitation efforts in response to the destruction caused by the last two typhoons, some personalities including Senator Miriam Santiago has questioned the absence of Secretary Ronnie Puno of the Department of Interior and Local Government. According to the senator, the secretary should be around because this was the time when his LGUs need him the most. And upon knowing that the secretary was not around and that a person in charge was appointed, the senator further stated that Ronnie Puno should be held liable and responsible for the loss and the deaths that happened in connection with the last two typhoons. Simply put, the secretary was once again at the receiving end of harsh words and baseless accusations of the senator.
The office of the secretary did not take this lightly and in a statement the acting secretary of the department; Acting Secretary Melchor Rosales defended the leave of Ronnie Puno. According to Mr. Rosales, Ronnie Puno was on authorized leave and this was contrary to the claim of the lady senator that Ronnie Puno did not get the permission of President Arroyo. The acting secretary added that the request for leave by Secretary Ronnie Puno was already approved last September 8, which means that this was approved days before the typhoon struck. Ronnie Puno is out of the country because his wife is scheduled to undergo a major surgery. According to his office, the secretary will be back in the country on October 12.
According to Melchor Rosales, the approval was released September 8 and that he has already the papers that will make him as the acting secretary of the office. The acting secretary added that even though Ronnie Puno is not around, he said that the department is still leading the efforts in helping the affected local government units. The department has conducted meetings and consultations, and has also led in indentifying possible evacuation centers and sites. According to the acting secretary, their department has identified 26 schools and these schools are currently used as evacuation centers.
According to Melchor Rosales, the approval was released September 8 and that he has already the papers that will make him as the acting secretary of the office. The acting secretary added that even though Ronnie Puno is not around, he said that the department is still leading the efforts in helping the affected local government units. The department has conducted meetings and consultations, and has also led in indentifying possible evacuation centers and sites. According to the acting secretary, their department has identified 26 schools and these schools are currently used as evacuation centers.
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