Lapu starts distributing financial aid to typhoon-affected residents

THE Lapu-Lapu City Government has started to distribute the P5,000 financial aid on Jan. 16, 2022, or 31 days after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (Rai) in Cebu last Dec. 16, 2021.

Around 11,000 residents in Olango Island were the first to receive cash assistance last Jan. 16.

Distribution in mainland Lapu-Lapu started last Jan. 21, and the remaining 11 barangays were scheduled for distribution on Jan. 22 and 23.

Residents in Barangays Pusok, Babag, Gun-ob, Marigondon and Bankal were able to receive the cash assistance on Saturday, Jan. 22.

The distribution for Barangay Canjulao, Mactan, and Basak was scheduled on Jan. 23.

Bankal Barangay Captain and Liga nga mga Barangay President Eduardo Cuizon alleged that there are issues and concerns raised by residents with the distribution of financial aid.

Cuizon told SunStar Cebu Sunday that there were individuals who received the money, but their houses were left untouched by the typhoon.

The barangay captain also received reports that there were individuals whose houses were damaged but were not included in the list of beneficiaries.

Despite the lack of budget from the city’s treasury, all 88, 453 Odette-affected individuals in Lapu-lapu City will receive the P5,000 financial aid.

Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan announced on his Facebook page Saturday, that there were kindhearted individuals who donated money to supplement the P236 million released by the City that could only cover 47,000 individuals.

Chan did not disclose the names of the individuals who donated money to the city.

The City needs to gather funds amounting to P206 million since the financial assistance requires a total budget worth P442 million.

Chan said that the city government has already prepared the payroll needed for the disbursement of the cash aid.

“Dili ako ma uwaw moduol sa mga saktong nga motabang kanato nga bahalag mura nakog makalilimos (I am not ashamed to approach people who are ready to help us. I don’t care if I look like a beggar),” said Chan.

The City Council had previously passed an ordinance for the release of P302 million intended for financial assistance; however, Chan only approved P236 million citing legalities and conflicts with the local disbursing procedures.

The mayor also disproved allegations that personnel were asking for a 500 pesos mandatory processing fee for the release of the aid.

Chan labeled this as “fake news” and posted a video on Facebook showing residents who have received the entire P5,000 amount.