Landslide victims in Naga get aid

CEBU, Philippines - Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong handed over P10,000 and goods to the 26 families affected by last Saturday's landslide in sitio Naalad.

Chiong told the beneficiaries to use the money to build new homes.

The mayor said the city government as per order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has already cautioned these families from going back to the site hit by the landslide as it is no longer safe for habitation.

Even families whose houses were not destroyed by the landslide were relocated to safer areas, Chiong said.

Temporarily the families are living in makeshift houses near the river, but Chiong said "initially" Hospicio de San Jose which owns the lot just across the river has agreed to allow the victims to rent a portion of the huge property.

He is set to meet the representatives of the Hospicio again on Monday.

But while the deal has not yet been sealed, the city government yesterday also gave canvas tents to the victims.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also gave mosquito nets, mats, cans, and other house wares to each of the 26 families.

Radio dyAB also distributed dry goods donated by its listeners.