For disaster-hit areas Negros Oriental LGU oks P6M in relief aid

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — A total of P6 million in relief fund was approved for release by the Negros Oriental provincial government for disaster-stricken areas, namely the flooded Bayawan City and Basay town, the war-torn Zamboanga City and the quake-devastated provinces of  Bohol and Cebu.

Of the amount, P2 million will be for Bayawan City and P1 million each for Basay town, Zamboanga City and Bohol and Cebu provinces.

The Provincial Board's approval of the fund release came after a meeting with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), attended by lawyer Arturo Umbac, Provincial Administrator Arnel Francisco and PB Members Erwin Michael Macias and Melimore Saycon, among others.

The PDRRMC convened a day after the Magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Central Visayas and left a trail of  devastation in the provinces of Cebu and Bohol. Minor damages to property and infrastructures were initially reported in Negros Oriental itself and Siquijor province.

PDRRMC executive director Adrian Sedillo, during the meeting, said Sta. Catalina town in Negros Oriental was not included in the relief assistance as the LGU has not declared a state of calamity, despite being flooded also, unlike Bayawan and Basay that had issued the declaration.

Sedillo, the amount will be taken from the 30 percent of the 5-percent calamity fund as Quick Response Fund (QRF), the remaining amount of which is now at P21 million.

Sedillo said that, assessment on quake damages, conducted by the Provincial Engineering Office, showed that government buildings in Negros Oriental had minor cracks but were declared safe for occupancy and use. The DPWH-7 also declared all national roads and bridges here were free from major structural damage and now passable.

Meanwhile, the Dumaguete City government had approved, during a City Council special session upon request of Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, to give financial assistance of P500,000 to Bayawan City, P300,000 to Basay and P200,000 to Sta. Catalina town.

The City Council was further discussing with Sagarbarria on plans to also extend cash aid to earthquake-hit Bohol and Cebu, with the mayor suggesting P500,000 for each province.  (FREEMAN)