Camarines Sur 5th District Representative Miguel Luis Villafuerte has come under fire after a video surfaced on Thursday night, October 24, showing him handing out cash to flood victims in the storm-ravaged province. The video sparked criticism from netizens who questioned why Villafuerte was distributing cash instead of relief goods, which are typically provided to disaster-stricken communities.
In defense of his son, Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte, Jr. addressed the backlash, explaining the decision behind the cash distribution. He emphasized that logistical challenges in heavily flooded areas made it difficult to provide traditional relief goods, and cash was deemed the most effective immediate solution.
“Ako namimigay din ako P500, P1,000. Walang masama roon,” LRay said in response to the criticism. “Kasi hindi naman po pwedeng bigyan ‘yung flooded area ng relief, kasi hindi pwedeng mabigyan ng sasakyan. So bumibisita kami, and the best thing we can do is give them cash for now. There is nothing wrong with that. Totoo namimigay kami. Wala namang masama,” he explained.
The elder Villafuerte stressed that the distribution of cash was a practical choice given the circumstances, as delivering goods to the flood-hit areas was challenging. He reiterated that providing cash to the affected residents allowed them to quickly purchase what they needed most, given the difficulties in transporting and distributing relief supplies during the ongoing crisis.
Bakit pag si Leni – authentic and heroic. Pag sila – staged and ridiculous https://t.co/Wwlz7CmpLu
— Audie Gemora (@GemoraAudie) October 24, 2024
Despite the defense, the video has continued to stir debate online, with some netizens supporting the Villafuertes’ actions, while others argue that cash handouts might not address the long-term needs of the victims. Critics have also raised concerns about the appropriateness of distributing money during such events, as it might be perceived as a political move.
LOOK: Camarines Sur 5th District Representative Miguel Luis Villafuerte, in a video uploaded Thursday night, October 24, shows him handing out cash to flood victims in the storm-battered province. #KristinePH (📹: Villafuerte/Facebook) pic.twitter.com/gnjPP9SUh7
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) October 24, 2024
The Villafuerte family, known for its political influence in the Bicol region, has long been active in providing assistance to their constituents during times of disaster. However, this incident has ignited discussions on the most effective and ethical ways to respond to emergencies, especially as provinces like Camarines Sur continue to face the harsh effects of extreme weather events.