Convoy brings relief to northern towns

CEBU, Philippines - At least 30 vehicles from 12 local government units travelling in convoy went to the north of Cebu to distribute P5 million worth of relief goods to residents in typhoon-damaged areas.

Naga City Mayor Val Chiong said they sent food packs containing rice, canned goods, water, and noodles to each of the 15 local government units including those in the islands of Bantayan and Camotes.

Naga, which sent five of its dump trucks, allocated P100,000 per LGU for this project, or a total of P1.2 million which was taken from its calamity funds.

“We’ve always helped other LGUs even those outside of Cebu during calamities. That was why when we had a talk with the other mayors after the typhoon we came up with the plan to go there as one para mausa ra og tagak ang mga goods,” he said.

Dalaguete Mayor Ronaldo Sesante said their town was spared and this was their way of thanking God by reaching out to the affected towns.

Dalaguete brought around 1,700 relief packs.

Meanwhile, Chiong said there is nothing illegal in sending help to other LGUs as long as it is within the limit of their calamity funds.

He said that even in the past they helped Manila which was affected by typhoon Ondoy and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan which were ravaged by typhoon Sendong, and recently Bohol, after suffering from a magnitude 7.2 quake.

Last Nov. 8 super typhoon Yolanda brought the Visayas on its knees, destroying thousands of houses in the different regions, including those in northern Cebu. 

Apart from Naga and Dalaguete, Oslob, Sibonga, Carcar, Guinatilan, Malabuyoc, Aloguinsan, Alcoy, Moalboal, and others also joined in the convoy.

Mayors personally turned over the donations.

The convoy, which passed by Cebu City at 6 a.m., moved from Sogod to Tabuelan, up to the last town in the north to deliver the supplies to the local governments there. (FREEMAN)