Many in the Philippines were outraged as they believed Aquino would end the rampant corruption but after the slow aid response due to poor infrastructure and corrupt local officials many in the Philippines are calling for drastic action. The building of more secure brick and mortar houses for many developers is deemed unprofitable without government subsidies even though lowcost storm proof housing is available many in the Philippines are still too poor to afford nonsubsidised houses. Roads leading to and in major cities were turned to ankle deep mud making relief efforts in remote areas of the islands near impossible. The Philippines does have a long history of corruption, the 20 year president Ferdinand Marcos is thought to have embezzled over £3 billion of public funds during
his time in office from 1965 to 1986. His wife Imelda Marcos, now in the Philippine House of Representatives, hails from the city of Tacloban one of the worst hit areas by the storm. During her time as first Lady she built many lavish buildings in the city including her opulent home “St. Nino’s Shrine” which once housed her famous shoe collection. This building is now one of the few left standing in Tacloban, the rest like the roads have been blown down and washed away. The Philippines has long received massive amounts of aid from the USA and has a stable economy but urban planning has been almost non-existent. This in a nation with an exploding population, systematic poverty and climate change creating a perfect storm of issues for when the perfect storm hit.
This building is now one of the few left standing in Tacloban, the rest like the roads have been blown down and washed away. Photography: Christopher MacKay
The Edit
11