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LWUA bash called ‘insensitive’
BY JP LOPEZ
THE Local Water Utilities Administration, a government-controlled corporation, held a "lavish" feast for its 36th anniversary Wednesday night, a virtual slap on the face of half a million Filipinos victimized by storm "Ondoy" who are scrounging for relief goods.
President Arroyo arrived at 9 p.m.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said that while most celebrations have been cancelled to donate to victims of Ondoy, the move of LWUA to proceed with its anniversary is the "height of insensitivity."
"Kawalanghiyaan na ito," Cayetano said
A source said LWUA ordered 500 reservations for cocktails and 250 reservations for a seven-course dinner buffet from Henry’s Catering Service.
A check with menu showed the catering cost about P200,000 (at P510++, P530++ to P610++ per head).
The celebration, complete with a live band, was held at the LWUA main office on Katipunan avenue, Balara, Quezon City, which was one of the worst hit by Ondoy floods.
The menu consisted of baked mussels with olive oil and garlic as appetizer, "sinigang" soup, and roast pig.
The main course included "kare-kare," chicken barbeque, squid "salpicado," spinach with chicken and garlic, "pancit" sotanghon (or canton guisado) and steamed jasmine rice.
Desserts included fresh seasonal fruit platter and "buko pandan" salad.
Assorted sodas, "guinumis" and home-brewed iced tea were also served.
It was not yet known if Prospero Pichay, LWUA chairman and administration ally, shouldered the expenses.
A source said the celebration was prepared not actually to celebrate the anniversary but to impress President Arroyo.
The source said Cabinet Secretary Silveste Bello arrived at around 8:20 p.m.
The source said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and political adviser Gabriel Claudio were also in attendance.
The source said the highlight of the event was the signing of watershed development memorandum of agreement between LWUA, DENR and Philippine Association of Water Districts.
The MoA was signed since they could no longer wait for President Arroyo.
The source said packed meals of "pakbet," pork or fish, with rice were distributed to some 400 LWUA employees.
The LWUA covered court was also covered with tarpaulins of President Arroyo and Pichay.
LWUA also placed a two-full-page advertisement in a major newspaper yesterday.
Cayetano also said he has been informed that the National Disaster Coordinating Council has also used Henry’s Catering Service for its meetings in connection with relief operations for victims of Ondoy.
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