By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer defended the response of mayors of southern Negros to the havoc caused by super typhoon “Odette.”

“We have to understand that employees of the local government were also victims of the typhoon. The response hinges on availability of manpower and power,” Ferrer said during his Sunday radio program over Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod.

The vice governor’s reaction came amid criticism from netizens and the public of delayed response and distribution of food packs by some local government units (LGUs).

Ferrer said that one or two government officials or employees cannot possibly address the destruction caused by the typhoon.

He added that an LGU can only respond effectively when it has the personnel to do it.

He pointed out some government personnel were victims themselves and naturally they would have to take care of their own families first.

“We should understand the situation,” Ferrer said.

He appealed to those affected by the typhoon to be more patient as the government is doing its best to reach and bring help to them and their communities.

Despite the criticism, the vice governor thanked the efforts of local officials and frontliners in helping those severely hit by the typhoon.

He added the provincial government is doing its best to help the LGUs.

“Let us stop the criticism and instead help in whatever way we can,” Ferrer said./DGB, WDJ