THE Cebu City Government will soon extend the P500,000 financial assistance that Mayor Tomas Osmeña promised to give each of the families of three soldiers and one police officer who died during clashes with the Abu Sayyaf in Inabanga, Bohol.

In his news conference yesterday, Osmeña announced that the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has approved his request to use the City’s share to extend the help.

In a letter to Osmeña, Pagcor Chair Andrea Domingo informed the mayor of the approval.

“We are pleased to inform you that Pagcor’s board of directors, in its meeting on May 26, 2017, has approved your above-mentioned request as long as this will redound to the benefit of Cebu City residents,” read a portion of the letter.

Osmeña said he only needs the approval of the City Council to be able to release the funds.

“For those soldiers who died in the line of action, for contributing to the peace and order of Cebu City and our neighboring communities, that’s our commitment,” Osmeña told reporters.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, who is the deputy mayor for police matters, said he will sponsor the resolution for the release of the funds and is confident his colleagues will support it.