Valenzuela, Pasig governments donate P24.5 million to Kristine-hit localities

MANILA, Philippines — The Valenzuela City and Pasig City governments are donating a total of P24.5 million in financial assistance to provinces badly affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

The Valenzuela City government will give P11 million to the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte in the Bicol Region.

“In light of this calamity, the people of Valenzuela, through the city government of Valenzuela, will be donating a total of P11 million,” the local government said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Each province will receive P3.66 million in financial aid to help municipalities and cities that bore the brunt of the Kristine’s wrath.

Meanwhile, the Pasig City government will donate P13.5 million in financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) that are under a state of calamity due to Kristine’s onslaught.

Mayor Vico Sotto said the city council had approved the recommendation of the city disaster risk reduction and management council (DRRMC) for the donation of financial aid to areas that were hit by the severe tropical storm.

Sotto added that the funds came from the DRRMC’s special trust fund, which means it should only be utilized for DRRM activities.

“Let us also continue to pray for those affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, and if we can help even in our personal capacity, let us do so,” he said in a Facebook post in Filipino.

Based on the city council’s resolution, the provinces of Batanes, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon Eastern Samar, Sorsogon and Catanduanes, and Naga City will each receive P1 million, while the municipalities of Magpet in Cotabato, Alfonso Lista in Ifugao, Bani and Anda in Pangasinan and Calbayog City in Samar in will each get P300,000.