Palace thanks UN for aid to earthquake victims

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday expressed its gratitude to the United Nations for offering to help the hundreds of thousands of people in Bohol affected by a powerful earthquake that struck Central Visayas last week.

The UN is eyeing to put up $46.8 million (P2.01 billion) in international aid for the quake victims, said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.

Together with humanitarian partners, Nesirky said they were appealing for aid for the needs of the earthquake victims in the country.

The fund will be used for relief efforts aligned with the Philippine government’s priorities, including emergency shelter for the nearly 400,000 people displaced by the 7.2-magnitude tremor.

Part of the fund will be used for debris removal and life-saving interventions in quake-ravaged areas.

The Oct. 15 quake killed 201 people in Bohol and 14 in Cebu, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

Earlier, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said concerned agencies would speed up assistance to the victims with P3.3 billion in funds readily available.

Abad said a total of P1 billion from the 2013 calamity and contingency funds is ready to support the aid requirements of affected families and communities.

He added that around P2.3 billion in Quick Response Funds under various implementing agencies could be mobilized to help the displaced families.

Tourism rehabilitation

The world’s largest tourism group has committed to support the Philippines’ rehabilitation program in quake-stricken areas in Bohol and Cebu.

In a statement in its official website, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said “Cebu and Bohol, both top tourist destinations, would soon recover from devastation and continue to play their role in tourism growth.”

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that with over 1.9 million tourists (872,397 foreign and 1.1 million domestic), Cebu registered the fourth largest volume of tourists in 2011, 12 percent higher than 1.77 billion in 2010.

The group expressed its sympathy to those that were affected by the strong quake.

“On behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO conveys its sympathy to the families of the victims and to the Philippine government,” said UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai.

“The livelihood of many people in these destinations depend on the tourism sector and UNWTO stands ready to support the Philippines to ensure that tourism in these areas continues to thrive,” Rifai added.

The DOT earlier said that the impact of the 7.2-magnitude tremor on the country’s tourism efforts in Bohol and Cebu would be minimal.

“So far, there is minimal effect on (tourism) traffic as we have reassured travel markets that tourism will normalize soon,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. told The STAR in a text message.

“Disruption is momentary and we expect that Cebu and Bohol will regain momentum in no time at all,” Jimenez said.

The DOT will provide support to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Museum and the National Historical Commission in rehabilitating the damaged heritage sites in Bohol and Cebu.

DSWD ties up with PAL, Air 21

The Department of Social Welfare and Development partnered with Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Air21 for the delivery of relief goods to earthquake victims in Bohol, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said yesterday.

“PAL and Air21 offered to transport the relief goods free of charge. We need to speed up the delivery of food supplies for the quake victims,” Soliman said.

The DSWD is still finalizing its agreement with Cebu Pacific and Zest Air. – With Donnabelle Gatdula, Evelyn Macairan