Lip service? Makilala quake victims still waiting for promised aid

MAKILALA, North Cotabato -- Residents of a remote village hit by a 5.2earthquake last year claimed the promised housing assistance from the local government remained a promise.Four months have passed since the local government unit, through Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan, promised to provide housing materials as assistance to victims whose abode were damaged. We are still waiting for that assistance, no word from the LGU why the delay, we are kept in the dark and we have no idea if it is coming, one of the complainant told DXND Radyo Bidasaid in the vernacular .Another quake victim suggested for the LGU to release the assistance in cash so they can procure the housing materials themselves. Her house was among the 13 housed that were totally damaged by the September 20 earthquake. After the LGU promised assistance in the form of materials, she advanced lumbers and corrugated sheets from a dealer.Village Councilman Renante Managod admitted he was put to a difficult situation because victims had been asking him for answers.He said the town engineering office is yet to procure the construction materials. Mayor Caoagdan is yet to issue an official statement.