DILG's Remulla says sorry for humorous class, work suspension announcements

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday apologized for the humorous posts of his department for the announcement of class and work suspensions due to the bad weather.

Remulla told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview that he was not downplaying the struggle of the public and that he was just trying to lighten their mood. 

“Siguro hindi nila ako naiintindihan. Pabiro talaga ako. Hindi ko naman minamaliit ang pinaghihirapan nila. Ang ginagawa ko lang, ang pagpapaalala ay ginawa kong mas magaan para hindi negative vibes lagi ang naririnig,” Remula said.

(Maybe they just don’t understand me. I am really humorous. I am not downplaying what they are going through. All I am doing is reminding them. I made it lighter so that they don’t always hear negative vibes.)

“Kung ‘di naman nila naiintindihan ay humihingi ako ng pasensiya. Pero ganoon talaga pagkatao ko. Ano na lang, intindihin na lang ito na wala naman akong masamang intensiyon,” he added.

(If they don’t understand, I apologize. But that is just how I am. Just understand that I don’t have any bad intentions.)

In a post on DILG’s Facebook account on Tuesday, Remulla said, “Mga abangers, may inaabangan ba kayo? Mamaya na kain muna ko.”

(Guys, are you waiting for something? Later, I have to eat first.)

Then, the DILG again published a post with Remulla saying, “Mga abangers, sarap ng bogchi ko. Sa kabusugan ay nakaidlip nang sandali. Oh eto na inaabangan niyo!”

(Guys, I had a delicious meal. I fell asleep for a while after being full. Oh, this is what you’ve been waiting for!)

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has defended Remulla, saying that what’s important is “he gets the message across.”

”People criticize me for the way I speak, criticize him for the way he speaks. But that’s the way he speaks,” Marcos told the Philippine media delegation on Tuesday. 

”As long as he gets the message, that’s what it’s for, that’s what all postings are for,” Marcos added. 

The President also explained that the task of announcing class suspension was given to Remulla to avoid the spread of fake information. 

“Which website do you consult? So, pagka ganito, basta’t sinabi na, the SILG will make the announcement… Wala ng fake news. Iyon na ‘yung katotohanan. Iyon na ‘yung totoo,” explained Marcos.

Remulla’s announcement of class and work suspensions on Tuesday due to the impact of the bad weather caused by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) was criticized and received mostly “angry” reactions. Some nettizens viewed the post as “insensitive” amid the plight of those affected by the bad weather. 

Twelve people were reported dead due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Crising and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

Five of the fatalities were recorded in Calabarzon. Negros Island Region had three fatalities. One fatality each meanwhile was reported in Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM).

The victims died due to drowning and falling trees. 

Nine people were also reported missing and seven others were reported injured.

The information from the PNP is up for validation by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). —KG/ VAL, GMA Integrated News