#YolandaPH adoption program: City seeks private sector participation

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government wants to tap the private sector for its adoption program for the local government units in Leyte affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

“Focus on the adoption, kanang idea nga not just city government but a multi-sectoral concept. Kay ako man gud gitan-aw nga kun individual lang, confronting the concern dili gyud mahimong holistic and it will not become comprehensive (We focus on adoption and the idea of a multi-sectoral concept. Confronting the concern won’t be holistic if it is just the city government… it won’t be comprehensive),” Rama said.

For now, the city is working with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, among other organizations.

“It’s more of a corporate matter that will also have to be. Kay Ramon Aboitiz Foundation is very much into rebuilding a place and there are Non-governmental Organization (NGO) would like to have their minds be borrowed in creating concepts on structural plans,” Rama said.

Partnering with the private sector would also mean the city won’t have to shoulder all financial concerns on its own, considering that it is also reeling from the effects of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last month, particularly on the city hospital, which it wants to rehabilitate.

For its adoption program, the city is eyeing at adopting Ormoc, Palo or Tanauan. Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said the city is yet to assess the three areas to determine what kind of help the program can give.

“Kakita ta sa situation didto (Tacloban and Leyte) nga ground zero gyud…ang mahitabo, if we don’t help them and nobody will help them, where will they be?” Labella said.

Labella is confident that the City Council will support the adoption program.

“I don’t think they will be against a worthy and noble cause because this is for a humanitarian consideration,” Labella said, adding, the executive department will make the council understand.

Councilor Dave Tumulak said support from the council is important because the realization of the program will also depend on the city’s available resources.

“Depends on the capacity and resources but I think the Council will agree on the possibility of adopting a certain municipality,” Tumulak said.

Rama is set to meet Labella and the Councilors next week to brief  them on the areas eyed for adoption.

“I’ll be meeting them so they will also be briefed because not all of them have a chance to be in all these areas, but I’m pretty sure they’ve been viewing TV coverage of the unimaginable devastation that struck these areas,” Rama said. —JMO (FREEMAN)