Mandaue city and provincial government officials hold presscon at CICC Monday morning. (CDN PHOTO / VICTOR SILVA)
As donations continue to pour in for fire victims of Mandaue City last Saturday, government officials warned local candidates not to exploit their plight for campaigning.
“Under R.A. 10121 (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act), we can never say no to those want to extend help,” Cebu Provincial Disaster Office Chief Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. said in a press conference at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) where 11,000 evacuees are currently staying.
Tribunalo said they will still receive donations from local candidates, but they are prohibited from distributing it inside the evacuation center.
Food packs bearing the image or names of candidates will also be repackaged.
Felix Suico, head of the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said donations from various sectors have poured in since Saturday.
He said persons or groups who wish to donate may bring their donations to the drop-off center at the CICC compound.
The evacuees are in need of mats, clothes, food, and water, among others.