Aid for Bohol: Manila City Donates P2M, Iloilo P2.4M

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines— Relief aids for Bohol and the earthquake victims have continued to reach the province.

As of last Saturday, Mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada of  Manila City has donated to Bohol P2 million check, given personally by Senator Jinggoy Estrada to Gov. Edgar Chatto.

The Iloilo provincial government, through Gov. Arthur Defensor  Sr., extended a total of  P2 million in financial aid for Bohol and Cebu, while the Iloilo City government, under Mayor Jed Patrick  Mabilog, gave P400,000, also for the two provinces.

Senator Estrada, who flew via a private jet for the 2nd time into Tagbilaran since the Oct. 15 earthquake, was welcomed by Rep. Aris Aumentado (2nd district, Bohol) and Danao town Vice Mayor Tom Gonzaga.

The first time the senator was here last week, he distributed relief goods in Sagbayan town, one of  the most quake-devastated towns.

During his second visit Saturday, Sen. Estrada and Aumentado inspected other ruined towns in the province then distributed relief goods to the victims in the towns of Maribjoc, Calape and Tubigon.

On the move for a rehabilitation fund for Bohol, Sen. Estrada said the Senate had approved a resolution urging President Benigno Aquino III to utilize the savings in the national government to help rehabilitate the destroyed roads and bridges, hospitals and other government infrastructure.

Senator Estrada said he would support Sen. Nancy Binay's proposal to insert as additional fund in the 2014 national budget for the reconstruction of the centuries-old churches, although the Senate had to be circumspect on this matter due to the constitutional provision of the separation of church and state.

Senator Binay, who earlier came here with his dad Vice President Jejomar Binay said the government could still help in reconstructing the old churches.

The fund assistance could be channeled through other government agencies, such as the National Museum and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, which are involved in the restoration of these churches, which are declared national treasures or cultural heritage sites. — Ric V. Obedencio with reports from Montesa Griño Caoyonan (FREEMAN)