Capitol takes lead in RDC's Task Force "Tulong Habagat"

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol will send ready-to-eat food, among other things, to flood-affected areas in Luzon and will facilitated the sending of relief items gathered by local governments and private groups from all over Cebu.

The Province of Cebu is closely coordinating with the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Visayas which launched Task Force Tulong Habagat in collecting relief assistance for flood victims in Luzon.

The task force serves as a network organized by RDC-7 to collect donations in Cebu.

In a meeting last Thursday, RDC-7 identified the immediate needs of the victims as food stuff, water, milk for kids, clothing, blankets and towels.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Marivic Garces informed RDC-7 of the plan of the Province of Cebu to send out sacks of rice.

Garces represented Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia during the meeting of the RDC-7 called by its chairman, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Garces said that RDC members suggested to convert the rice into ready to eat food, prompting her to present it to Garcia.

“Probably, we will be sending noodles, easy to open sardines, canned goods and biscuits,” Garces said.

The Capitol has yet to determine the amount of goods to be sent to the affected families.

During the RDC meeting, it was also agreed to put up drop off centers to receive donations from other local government units and donors.

 Identified areas are the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office 7, Capitol ground, Lapu-Lapu City Hall, Talisay City and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the North Reclamation in Cebu City.

Garces said that the drop off center at the annex building along Escario Street will be operational today.

All police stations are also being utilized as drop off centers.

She is also asking the social welfare officers in the municipalities to also collect donations in cash or in kind in their area. 

Garces said that the Province of Cebu will facilitate the sending of collected relief goods by tapping a boat that can ship to Manila.

Garcia earlier said she is also considering giving of financial assistance to the concerned local government units affected by floods.

The cities of Valenzuela, Malabon and Muntinlupa in Metro Manila were among the areas that have declared a state of calamity.

Other areas badly-hit by torrential rains in Metro Manila were Marikina City, Caloocan City, Manila City and Quezon City.

Local authorities have also declared a state of calamity in the provinces of Bataan, Laguna, Pampanga and Zambales; and Cainta, Rodriguez and San Mateo in Rizal province.

Cebu and Laguna provinces just signed a sisterhood agreement.    - THE FREEMAN