Gwen gives aid to quake-stricken Negros

CEBU, Philippines - Hungry people, bad weather, aftershocks, damaged roads and bridges greeted Governor Gwendolyn Garcia when she visited the earthquake-hit areas of Negros Oriental to distribute financial assistance worth P12.5 million yesterday.

Along the highway, quake victims displayed signages with the words, “Food and Water,” “Pagkaon ug Tubig,” and “SOS (Save Our Soul)” with the hopes to get attention of potential donors.

Negros First District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong confirmed the need for food and water. She said even those who own stores were affected by the earthquake, thus, there is barely a place to buy sustenance in northern Negros Oriental.

“I would like to appeal to those donors to please coordinate with the local DSWD or with the Office of the Civil Defense to ensure that the goods that they are bringing in will definitely go to those who really need them most,” Limkaichong told reporters.

She said that it is just normal reaction of the victims to write just to make sure they are heard and seen especially by the media but there are also some who take advantage of the situation.

Limkaichong said that even there are foods and waters arrived but still some areas that are isolated are not accessible by transportation.

Her husband, La Libertad Mayor Lawrence Limkaichong, received P1 million worth of check from Garcia as financial assistance to the earthquake victims. The amount is reportedly the biggest they have received from a local government unit, by far.

La Libertad is one of the most badly hit areas by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake last week.

“I would like to thank Gov. Gwen for reaching out to us in spite of the roads being so bad and the weather is not cooperating…but still made an effort to come all the way from Cebu,” she said.

Garcia first visited the municipality of Vallehermoso where she turned over a check worth P500,000 to Mayor Joniper Villegas. She visited Guihulngan City next where she was met by Mayor Ernesto Reyes who received the P1 million check donation.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo joined her in the trip to Dumaguete City. Reyes assured Garcia to use the money properly in providing shelter to the affected families.

Reyes said they still experienced aftershocks as of midnight last Tuesday. This was also confirmed by Jimalalaud Mayor Reynaldo Tuanda when Garcia arrived in the town to turn over a check donation worth P500,000.

Shortly before Garcia arrived in Tayasan town, municipal employees reported that aftershocks were again experienced at around 2:45 pm yesterday.

Mayor Santiago Sameon V and Vice Mayor Ramil Guardiario received the P1 million check donation, which, they said, will be used to purchase more relief goods.

Ayungon Mayor Edsel Enardecido also said the assistance from Cebu amounting to P1 million was the biggest they received from a local government unit, so far. He said he intends to use the money to rehabilitate the water system in the municipality.

Meanwhile, Bindoy Mayor Valente Yap intends to use the P500,000 donation to buy housing materials for the victims of the quake.

In Dumaguete City, Garcia turned over P10 million to Degamo. Of the amount, P7 million is intended as assistance for victims of the recent earthquake while P3 million is to assist continued relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Sendong last December.

Garcia said the people of Negros Oriental are like brothers to Cebuanos because of the province’s geographical proximity to Cebu. She said giving the donations is also a way for Cebu Province to thank the Santo Niño for sparing Cebu in the catastrophes.

Aside from cash assistance, the Province of Cebu sent relief assistance amounting to P4.7 million to the areas affected by the quake. —(FREEMAN)