Lapu-Lapu eyes up to P5M aid for Mindanao quake-hit LGUs

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan is seeking authority from the City Council to allow her administration to provide financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Southern and Central Mindanao.

King-Chan said the city plans to extend ?1 million in assistance to each of the affected LGUs, including General Santos City, Davao City, and Sarangani Province.

The mayor said the city government is preparing a total relief package amounting to between ?3 million and ?5 million, subject to the approval of the City Council.

“We will give one million to the affected cities and towns. Maybe Sarangani, General Santos of course, and Davao pod,” King-Chan said.

Apart from the proposed city assistance, King-Chan, as the wife of Congressman Junard “Ahong” Chan, also pledged ?50,000 through the Congressional Spouses Foundation under a separate initiative intended to support earthquake victims.

In addition to financial aid, the Lapu-Lapu City Government, through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), has placed five members of its All-Hazard Incident Management Team (AHIMT) on standby for possible deployment to Southern Mindanao upon the request of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-7.

“Ang team na gi prepare always andam but dili lang ta magpataka og adto nga wala tay go signal sa OCD,” the mayor said, stressing that any deployment must be properly coordinated with the agency.

King-Chan added that the personnel are ready for immediate deployment should the need arise.

Since June 8, the five trained responders have been fully equipped and prepared to serve as part of an Incident Management Team (IMT).

Their provisions include first-aid kits, a megaphone, a portable power station, tents, sleeping bags, foldable beds, a burner with canisters, a canopy, emergency ration meals, and other essential emergency equipment.

King-Chan said the Lapu-Lapu City Government remains on heightened alert and is prepared to extend further assistance to affected communities as the situation develops. — (FREEMAN)