THE distribution of financial assistance from the calamity fund to the typhoon hit areas in the city is set to start today, an official said.
Majority floor leader Bernard Al-ag said that the council has approved P83.4 million worth of assistance and its distribution will start Wednesday, December 27.
“The council approved P83.4 million yesterday, tomorrow, there will be a start of the distribution financial assistance and operations for relief goods,” Al-ag said.
Last December 25, the 18th Davao City declared the city under a state of calamity and authorized Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to use the remaining P83.4-million Quick Response Fund (QRF) from the city’s 30 percent Disaster Risk Reduction Management fund.
Duterte-Carpio during the special session assured the council that utilizing the remaining amount for QRF for the financial assistance for the Typhoon Vinta victims will not mean that the city will not have any reserved amount should any disaster come after.
She said that the city mayor’s office still has a remaining budget peace and order fund worth P30 million which is intended for city’s use for calamity assistance until December 31, 2017.
Duterte-Carpio also asked the assistance of the city councilors in the distribution of the financial assistance.
“Because we have 18,603 affected families, may I request the city councilors to assist the city mayor for the distribution of the financial assistance, maybe we can divide the evacuation centers and we’ll assign councilors in each distribution area to assist the Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) during the giving of financial assistance,” she said.
Duterte-Carpio said that city councilors can also help in addressing issues and concerns during the distribution.
Since Saturday, more than 130 individuals, companies, government and non-government offices have also coursed their donations of food and financial assistance to the city hall.