Northern Cebu mayors

Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramon “Ricky” Ramirez III

“I learned not to rely on anybody else. Natagam gyud ko human gibypass mi sa Kapitolyo (I learned this lesson after the Capitol bypassed us).”

“We are ready for another calamity. But if it’s like Yolanda that will affect the whole town, it’s the next higher LGU (local government unit) that should be ready.”

“Kana ilang PDRRMC (Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), that piece of legislation, pataka lang ang author ana (the author didn’t know what he was doing). We’re supposed to appoint a disaster officer with a salary equivalent to a department head, with three regular employees. Unsa’y trabaho nila the whole year long, magsige atang ug kalamidad (What will they do the whole year, wait for a calamity)?”

Mayor Ramirez said he is also convinced the delay in the recovery and rehabilitation work stemmed from the National Government. “Kung atong itrace, sila (the National Government) ra ang naglangay-langay. Naa sila’y attitude nga dili mosalig sa probinsya nga hadlok kawaton ang kwarta bisan tua ra ang kawatang dagko sa Manila (The National Government took its time.
They seem to distrust local governments in the provinces, as if they’re afraid of losing funds, when the biggest crooks are in Manila).”

LessonsmayorRamirezMedellinARNICebuVisayasPhilippinesYolandaTyphoon Yolandasuper typhoonHaiyanofficialLGUmunicipalpolitician