THE Cebu City Government allocated P5 million worth of cash to aid the local government unit of Catanduanes which was badly hit by Super Typhoon Rolly.
The Cebu City Council approved the sponsored resolution of Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak to hand a check worth P5 million to the Provincial Government of Catanduanes during the regular session on Nov. 4, 2020.
The Cebu City Government was supposed to use the P5 million to buy food and water for the affected residents; however, the Council suggested the amendment of the resolution.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama said it would be better if the City directly handed the cash to the Provincial Government of Catanduanes since it knows better who should be given the assistance.
Rama said in that way, the City will not worry on how to transport the items to Catanduanes.
The City was supposed to use the ship of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to transport the items.
Rama said by directly sending the cash, it would mean less hassle for them.
Tumulak said based on the risk assessment conducted in Catanduanes, the victims of the super typhoon need more food and water, thus, the City first thought of donating rice, canned goods and water.
Aside from the cash, Tumulak said 30 personnel of the Cebu City Hall will also be deployed to the area.
He said the identified personnel are from the Parks and Playground Commission, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and clearing team, as well as doctors and nurses.
He said they will be staying in the area for two to three days to help the LGU in the clearing operations.
The P5 million will be sourced from the quick response fund.
Tumulak said the team is set to be deployed to Catanduanes within the week.
Super Typhoon Rolly made landfall in the vicinity of Bato, Catanduanes at 4:50 a.m. on Nov. 1, bringing catastrophic winds and intense to torrential rainfall.
The super typhoon was packed with 225 kilometers per hour (kph) maximum sustained winds near the center and gusts of up to 280 kph, leaving over 10,000 houses damaged.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO 7) was able to gather about P1.3 million worth of relief aid for typhoon victims in the Bicol region.
Of the aid, they were able to secure about 500 sacks of rice donated by the Cristina Lee Dino Foundation through the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, 100 gallons of potable water and 100 butane canisters and other kitchen utensils.
Police Brigadier Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, PRO 7 director, said the aid they gathered is just the first batch of assistance that they will distribute to affected families in Catanduanes, Guinubatan, Pulangue and areas in Camarines Sur and Masbate that were heavily hit by Typhoon Rolly.
Senators Bong Go and Bato Dela Rosa also sent packs of canned goods, rice and clothing.
The aid will be sent through a Philippine Navy ship which will be leaving Cebu for Bicol within the week. (JJL, AYB, HBL / JKV)