Capitol assists Dumanjug Residents

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol sent out relief assistance yesterday to 19 households with 105 family members in four barangays affected by strong winds and heavy rains in Dumanjug last Tuesday.

The Office for the Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management earlier conducted damage assessment and needs analysis (DANA) after the incident.

After the assessment, the office recommended to Governor Hilario Davide III that affected families be provided with their immediate needs such as blankets, mats, mosquito nets, kitchen wares and food stuff.

A report from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office showed four families affected in barangay Tangil, nine in barangay Bitoon, four in barangay Tubod-Bitoon and six in barangay Kanyuko.

They also listed 16 families whose homes were partially damaged while the houses of three other families were totally damaged.

Families whose houses were totally damaged will get P5,000 cash assistance while P3,000 will be given to those with partially damaged houses.

The biggest property damage was estimated at P10,000 owned by Sedrenal Agrabante of barangay Tangil while the smallest is P500 of Chuchie Alquisola in barangay Bitoon.

Meanwhile, the Capitol is not keen on relocating the affected families who are reportedly living along the coastline.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, Neil Angelo Sanchez said relocating these residents entail budget.

“The best thing we can do as of now is to go for non-structural approach, educating them, letting them know the different hazards brought about by climate change,” Sanchez said.

 Sanchez said that once the people understand, they themselves will voluntarily vacate the area if they see warning signs.

Davide said that there is also a need to balance the situation since the residents are reluctant to transfer.

Instead, Davide suggested that it should be the municipal government concerned to first attend to these families.  (FREEMAN)