Labella: No cash, only supplies
The Cebu City government will not provide a financial assistance to the 6.5 magnitude earthquake victims in Mindanao.
Mayor Edgardo Labella disclosed that the P10 million fund will be used to buy the primary needs of the victims as per recommended by the assessment team headed by Councilor David Tumulak who visited the municipalities affected on Monday, November 4.
He added that the help will be sent to three municipalities namely Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; Makilala, North Cotabao; and Tulunan, North Cotabato which were identified by the assessment team as the worse affected areas.
During the assessment, the immediate needs of the victims were determined. These are laminated sack, trapal, canvass; food, relief goods, water; mosquito nets; sleeping mats; medicine; cooking utensils; hygiene kit; undergarments; and over the counter drugs.
The city is also set to send manpower and support vehicles such as dump trucks, ambulance, and water tankers.
“Dili nato langanon. Time is of the essence. We can have these goods, that they really badly need, be brought to them as soon as possible,” said Labella.
The assistance is scheduled to be shipped to Mindanao today.
Labella also stressed the importance to provide water in the three worse affected areas.
He said the city has already coordinated with a bottled drinking water manufacturer and distributor to send out thousands of gallons of water in the areas.
Labella together with Councilors David Tumulak, Donaldo Hontiveros, Prisca Niña Mabatid, some city department heads, and doctors will visit the three affected areas on Saturday, November 9.
When asked of the possibility of an additional fund for the assistance, Labella said they will still check on the extent of the damage.
To recall, Labella said an assessment is important before sending the necessary assistance to the earthquake victims to avoid wastage of funds.
He said he does not want to repeat what happened during the Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 in which the city government sent millions of pesos to many local government units but ended up being wasted.
The city government has also put up two relief assistance centers where the public can send their donations. These are located in Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Sugbo. —