Medellin execs seek fairness from Capitol in relief distribution

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of the municipality of Medellin are appealing for fairness to the provincial government in the distribution of relief assistance to typhoon victims.

Medellin Vice Mayor Juan Alfonso Lim and some councilors made the appeal in a press conference yesterday to clarify claim of the Capitol that it had sent 4,800 packs of relief goods to their town when the actual inventory conducted showed only 1,900 packs were delivered.

“We are not asking for special treatment but we asked for fairness,” Lim said.

Out of 240,000 relief packs released, Lim said their town only received 15,000 packs from the Capitol though they were still thankful of the help.

Gov. Hilario Davide III has denied the claim of Medellin officials.

“Among the towns that received aid from Capitol, Medellin received 30,980 food packs,” Davide said as he showed reporters the report of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

The food packs which contained rice, goods and water were distributed to 12,772 displaced families in Medellin, said PSWDO in-charge Evelyn Senajon.

“Ang RIS nga atoang gigunitan, 15,000 something ang rice, unya naa may kauban nga goods (15, 490), mao na nga 30,000 ka food packs,” she added.

Relief goods that are sent to the municipalities may be received by the municipal mayor, treasurer or the municipal DSWD, said Senajon.

Lim also clarified that they haven’t received the tents and generator set promised by the office of Gov. Hilario Davide III through the chief of staff, lawyer Ramil Abing.

Abing reportedly called on November 13, 2013 that 15 tents and generator set to be delivered but there was none.

Lim said that there were items received by Councilor Conrado Mangubat, an ally of Davide of the Liberal Party, but the municipal government cannot acknowledge it.

“We sense that there is politics in here,” said Lim.

Davide also denied saying that, “wala gyod bayay political color kining pagpanghatag nato og ayuda sa atong mga kaigsoonan nga naapektuhan sa bagyo.”

Furthermore, Lim said the town of Medellin has been waiting for the visit of Davide after the typhoon.

Davide said he dropped by Medellin with his staff but had no chance to confer with the mayor.

“I went to Medellin baya gyod, wa lang ko mihapit sa munisipyo niya. Kita man ko’g mga tawo didto. I supposed, they were distributing food packs that time,” he said.

A total of 12,782 families were affected by the typhoon from the 19 total barangays of Medellin.— /GMR