Capitol releases cash aid to LGUs hit by Yolanda

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol officials are set to deliver today the financial assistance to all local government units in northern Cebu including Bantayan Island.

The Provincial Board earlier authorized Gov. Hilario Davide III to release a total amount of P23 million out of the calamity fund of the Province of Cebu as financial assistance to typhoon affected LGUs.

“That’s only initial based on our rapid assessment,” said Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.

The LGUs of Bantayan, Madridejos, Santa Fe, Medellin, Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Pilar and Bogo City will get P2 million each while Poro, San Francisco, Tudela, Borbon, Tabogon, Tabuelan and Sogod will get P1 million each.

The PB has declared Monday the entire Province of Cebu under state of calamity after the super typhoon Yolanda hit the Visayas region to access the calamity fund.

It was the second declaration the PB has made in less than a month when a strong earthquake also hit Cebu last October 15.

Magpale said that the checks are supposed to be coursed through the respective PB members but since they did not show up at the Capitol yesterday, she and Davide will deliver the checks today.

Magpale said that she takes charge of the delivery of the checks to Medellin and Daanbantayan today.

Davide will bring the checks to the towns of Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos in Bantayan Island.

Before he proceed to the island, Davide is set to drop by at Bogo City where a mobile hospital is set up by foreign medical mission.

“The need would have been the day after the typhoon. And now I don’t know the next few days og kinahanglan pa ba nga most of those victims nada na man sa hospitals,” said Magpale.

In fact, Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez posted on his Facebook that he declined to have tent hospital in his town by a foreign group.

“I told them nga we have several medical missions and medicines arriving this weekend so I told them that you go to Bantayan Island where you are more needed there,” Ramirez said.

A group of German Fire Rescue also came and Ramirez told them to go to Bantayan Island especially the islets where their help is needed.

“Bisa’g naa ta sa kalisod its not a reason nga dili ta mobati para sa atong mga silingan,” Ramirez added. (FREEMAN)