Relief goods, water remain priorities for typhoon-hit towns

Ronda Mayor Nonie Blanco asks some questions during a meeting called by Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III (right) at the Capitol.
CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

Immediate distribution of relief goods continues to be a top priority in some towns hit by typhoon Seniang in southern Cebu.

In yesterday’s coordination meeting, the mayors of the towns of Ronda, Alcantara, Alegria, Barili, Samboan, Dumanjug, Aloguinsan, Moalboal and Malabuyoc also cited water supply as another concern.

The meeting was called by Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III.

Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco III earlier asked for non-government organizations (NGOs) to bring construction materials instead of food.

He said some groups donated big tents to serve as temporary shelter to the town’s residents.

AID
Ronda town recorded the highest number of deaths at 14 while two persons are still missing.

Blanco said barangay Poblacion was badly hit by floodwaters coming from the mountains during the typhoon.

During yesterday’s meeting Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said families whose homes were damaged by typhoons Seniang, Ruby and Queenie last year will each receive P10,000 in emergency shelter aid (ELA).

“We don’t know the total amount yet. That is why I am asking the mayors to submit the names of families whose houses have already been assessed for damage,” he told reporters yesterday.

Families whose homes were partially damaged will receive P5,000 each.

“Most of the houses that were damaged were made of light materials so I hope it will be sufficient,” Davide said.

FUNDS
Baltazar Tribunalo, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief, said the province has enough money left in its calamity funds for the families.

In a report furnished by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), 195 houses were assessed as totally damaged in 10 Seniang-affected areas in Cebu while 599 were assessed as partially damaged as of January 5.

Arturo Palencia, municipal engineer of Alcantara town, pegged the total damage sustained by the town from typhoon Seniang at P6,875,150. Agriculture sustained the highest damage at P2.9 million.

Alfredo Quiblat Jr., officer in charge of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan office, said local officials should be prepared for the worst whenever a storm approaches.

In their regular session yesterday, the Cebu City Council approved a resolution filed by Councilor Dave Tumulak to give P300,000 in cash aid to the towns of Dumanjug, Alcantara, Sibonga and Ronda from its disaster fund.

WORRIED
The City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) certified the availability of P1.2 million from the balance of the city’s 2014 local disaster fund.

An earlier resolution was also passed by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC), also headed by Tumulak to authorize Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to grant the assistance to the affected areas.

In the province, Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Tour will push through despite the damage wrought by typhoon Seniang in some parts of southern Cebu last year.

“I was worried because the bridge in Sibonga was damaged and the Boardwalk in Alcantara, one of our tour sites, was also destroyed,” said Magpale, who chairs the Provincial Board (PB) tourism committee.

Except for Alcantara, whose famous Boardwalk was damaged by Seniang, all other towns are still committed to the tour.

Located about a kilometer from the municipal hall, the Boardwalk is a one-kilometer trail made of bamboo with thick mangrove patches growing at its sides.

“The Suroy Suroy is already institutionalized to be held on Wednesday after Sinulog,” she said.

Magpale said at least 80 bookings were made since December last year for the tour.

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