A glimpse of the destruction brought by typhoon Odette in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu—The Lapu-Lapu City Council has approved on Tuesday afternoon, December 28, 2021, the Annual Investment Plan (AIP), which includes the financial assistance intended for those affected by super typhoon Odette.
The city council not only approved the original P236 million calamity fund but also added P66 million in the budget, for a total of P302 million as financial assistance.
Aside from this, the council also allocated P10 million for the repair of the city hall and another P5 million to purchase generator sets that would be deployed in Olango Island.
Lapu-Lapu City is among the cities badly damaged by the super typhoon Odette.
Councilor Michael Dignos clarified that they did not bar the release of the P236 million calamity fund, since the city council has earlier approved the disbursement of the budget on December 20, 2021, through the barangays.
But Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan vetoed the ordinance on December 23, 2021, because he wanted the budget to be released through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
The mayor also described the manner of the disbursement of funds that was approved by the city council as illegal.
“Subo kaayo pamalandungon kay gibabagan sa mayor kay iya kining gi-veto kay gusto niya nga moagi pa sa iyang opisina through CSWD,” Dignos said.
“Pirma nalang niya ang gipaabot aron mahatag na sa mga Oponganon ang ayuda ngano gilangay-langay ug gibabagan man gyud niya,” he added.
Councilor Flaviano Hiyas, chairman of the Committee of Finance, clarified that the release of the fund directly to the barangays is not illegal.
“Wala gyud nay basihan ug dili kana illegal. Nganu man illegal man? Public officials mana ang hatagan sa pundo duna manay records,” Hiyas said.
Hiyas also clarified that they wanted to distribute the fund directly to the barangays for its fast release, especially since barangay officials are more knowledgeable on who are the families affected by the typhoon.
The majority of the city council is hopeful that the mayor will already sign the ordinance to prevent the further delay of the distribution of financial assistance to typhoon-stricken families in Lapu-Lapu City.
/bmjo
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