Thursday, August 14, 2008 N. Cotabato okays cash aid for war victims
THE Provincial Board (PB) of North Cotabato approved Tuesday a resolution giving financial assistance to victims of the recent skirmishes in the towns of Aleosan, Pikit, Libungan, Pigcawayan and Midsayap.
In a resolution jointly passed by members of the PB, the board allocated P50,000 as cash assistance to each family whose members died in the gun battle between the government troops and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Another P30,000 is allocated for those who lost their working animals such as carabaos, horses, and cows.
The PB also allocated P20,000 for families whose houses were burned by members of the MILF and another P10,000 as cash assistance to those who were wounded in the firefight.
North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol said the resolution would mean a lot to those who were victims of the conflict in the province of North Cotabato.
"In times like this, we have to tell and show to our people our love, that we care for them and they are not neglected," Piñol said.
Piñol said his heart is "bleeding" for those who are suffering because of the war in the province.
He commended those who fought in defense of their families, properties, and lives and recommended that they be recognized as true heroes of our time.
The PB also approved a resolution giving scholarship grants to children of soldiers and civilian volunteers organization members who died in the conflict.
The approved resolutions will be forwarded to the Office of the Provincial Governor for immediate implementation.
Piñol said the release of the finance assistance to the victims would be subject to validation by the officials of the respective local government units that were affected by the war.
The MILF, however, is blaming Piñol for the armed conflict, saying he fanned the civilians to arm themselves against the MILF, thus the fighting. (BOT/With Press release)
