Cebu City resumes cash aid distributions

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has resumed its distribution of its financial aid programs to calamity victims and other beneficiaries after the election ban.

Over 45,000 beneficiaries were included in yesterday’s distribution of cash aid, majority of them are Typhoon Odette victims.

The city government headed by Mayor Michael Rama sought exemption from the Commission on Elections to continue the distribution during the election period but got no response to it.

“I was very clear, you know, I don’t want to quarrel with Comelec but it was not our own making to have Odette in our midst. It is not our own making to have Agaton in our midst. I was waiting for compassion to be present because hunger, roof, needs to be attended to. We never stop to address their concern,” said Rama earlier.

Even before the elections, Rama had already instructed the concerned departments to prepare everything for the resumption of the financial aid distribution, regardless of the results of the elections.

And now that the election is over, Rama said, they are to deliver the promised financial assistance to the remaining Typhoon Odette victims who were not able to get a few months back.

Rama utilized as much manpower from the City Hall including him to assist in the distribution today.

Aside from the assistance for Typhoon Odette victims, also included in financial aid distribution are fire victims, Tabang Alang sa Panginabuhian sa Atong Trabahante (TAPAT) beneficiaries and that of the city’s economic stimulus package.

The City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) had also given the go for the distribution of financial assistance to fire victims last year.

For the economic stimulus, the first batch of May will be the remaining sari-sari store owners then followed by the transport sectors and farmers.

Those who have not received their financial aid yet will just have to wait for their barangay officials’ announcement or through the city’s Public Information Office page. — Decemay P. Padilla, GMR (FREEMAN)