By GENALYN D. KABILING
Malacañang is amenable to the proposed congressional inquiry into the alleged substandard houses built for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque acknowledged that there has been a huge scandal in the Yolanda resettlement project implemented by the past administration, citing complaints about how the houses were built.
Senator JV Ejercito earlier intended to file a resolution calling for an investigation into the reported poorly built houses for the families affected by Yolanda survivors in Eastern Visayas. Ejercito, chairman of the Senate committee on urban planning, housing and resettlement, said they could recommend charges if negligence is found in the implementation of the resettlement program.
“Sang-ayon po tayo diyan. Talagang napakalaking eskandalo po ang nangyari diyan sa Yolanda resettlement na iyan,” Roque said in a radio interview.
“At siyempre po iyan iyong kumbaga eh proyektong ipinagmamalaki noong tumakbong presidente ang Mar Roxas pero ang dami nga pong natatanggap na reklamo,” he added.
Roque hinted that the government’s housing program for the displaced families in Marawi appeared well-built compared to those constructed for the Yolanda victims by the past administration.
“Nagkaroon ng sakuna na Marawi at kinakailangang ibangon muli ang Marawi. Gumawa tayo ng mga tahanan,” he said.