Speaker, House donate funds for Zambo City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte led the House of Representatives in donating more than P3.5 million  that will help boost the rehabilitation of the war torn district in this city following the 22-day standoff last month.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, local crisis management committee (CMC) said Belmonte made the commitment of the House and his personal donations during the donor’s forum called by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman last week for financial aid and support to the city.

Salazar said “Belmonte personally donated the amount of P500,000,  instead of using it for his birthday.”

She said the P3 million will be taken from the salary of the members of the House of Representative while the staff of Speaker Belmonte also contributed P11,000.

Salazar said during the donors’ forum, three various international and national organizations have pledged financial and support to the city.

"The forum yielded positive results that would help boost the implementation of our post crisis plan,” Salazar told newsmen in a briefing held Monday at the city hall.

She said some P4.616 millions in checks were turned over to the city trust fund and will be used for various programs that will be implemented for the rehabilitation of the conflict-torn areas.

The United Nations (UN) also committed to provide $3-million  technical assistance that will be coursed through the different UN-based organizations for various intervention programs.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is tasked to put up bunkhouses which will serve as temporary shelters for evacuees at the sports stadium, the main evacuation center in this city.

The national government, through President Benigno Aquino III, assured Zamboanga City of P3.8 billion funds for  rehabilitation efforts, which include the construction of bunkhouses, livelihood projects and other intervention programs.

However, Climaco said the funds will be insufficient as the area directly devastated by the  conflict would need supporting facilities such as water, lights and sewerage system.