Monday, June 16, 2008 3 Negros Occidental cities get boats By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
NATIONAL Disaster Coordinating Council Deputy Administrator Dr. Anthony Golez said the government is serious in helping Bacolod City solve its flooding problem.
Golez and Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde on Saturday turned over rubber rescue boats to the cities of Bacolod, Silay and Talisay, Saturday.
Golez also committed to attend the city and the Anti-Baha Alliance's meetings. "It will be my commitment to the group in helping them find concrete solutions to the flooding problem in the city."
The group sets it first meeting on July 3.
Golez said the city has yet to come up with a letter-request, with endorsement to his office.
The request should contain the result of the flood control planning workshop. The budgetary requirements for the flood control team of P375-million and another P110-M for the housing and relocation team should also be stated
He clarified though that the full amount could not be given by the National Government.
"We will only have our own counterpart funds," he stressed, adding the National Government only has a P2-billion total calamity funds budget and it cannot be spent in Bacolod alone.
As a Negrense he said, "We will try to diligently allocate resources for Bacolod."
Once NDCC receives the letter-request from the city, "our technical people will validate it to know how much funds we could provide," he said.
The turnover of boats was held at the Amity Public Safety Academy at the Pana-ad Park in Mansilingan, Bacolod City with Silay City Mayor Jose 'Oti' Montelibano, Talisay Mayor Eric Saratan and Executive Assistant Jomarie Vargas, representing Mayor Evelio Leonardia, accepting the boats.
Each city received two motorized rubber boats, which could be used in times of floods and other disaster preparedness activities.
Montelibano said the boats will be used properly in rescuing lives. "Disasters are big challenges for all of us. But we should act as one whenever there is a disaster."
Saratan said they appreciate the gesture of the Office of the Civil Defense and the Office of the President for giving them the motorized rubber boats.
