QC allots P22M for Leyte town’s rehab

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City local government has allotted almost P22 million for the reconstruction of the municipal hall complex of Santa Fe in Leyte that was destroyed by Super Typhoon Yolanda last year.

Second district councilor Ranulfo Ludovica filed a proposed resolution that will authorize Mayor Herbert Bautista to release P21.96 million for the reconstruction of Santa Fe’s old town hall, sangguniang bayan building, mayor’s office building, and the municipal public market.

“The municipality of Santa Fe, Leyte issued a Resolution No. 14-05, Series 2014, seeking financial assistance from the Quezon City government for the restoration and reconstruction of its municipal hall complex,” said Ludovica in his draft measure.

“The Quezon City government expressed its sympathy for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, most especially for the provinces of Leyte and Eastern Samar,” he added.

Santa Fe, Palompon, and Tolosa – all in Leyte – have been adopted by the Quezon City government following the onslaught of the typhoon.

In December, Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte led the 100-man contingent from the city government that brought relief goods, medical supplies and engineering equipment for the city’s three adopted towns.

Quezon City also made available P50 million, authorized for release by the city council in November, for all areas affected by the typhoon. It was taken from the city’s Quick Response Fund.

The additional P21.96 million for Santa Fe, meanwhile, will be taken from the city’s general fund. An approval from the city council is still needed before it can be released.

“Our blessings should be transformed into generosity towards thousands of victims in other towns and cities that are suffering now,” the mayor said in his state of the city address in December.