Gwen spends Valentine's giving goodies, inaugurating projects

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia spent her Valentine’s Day giving out relief goods to families in Barangay Vive, Ronda who were affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake last week

Garcia was accompanied by Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco in the distribution of the relief goods. The governor also promised to give construction materials to the affected residents.

Garcia turned over one sack of rice for every family, canned goods, and instant noodles. She also inaugurated the first phase of the town’s public market.

Aside from Ronda, the governor also distributed assistance and inaugurated projects in Dumanjug and Barili and led the street lighting activity and inauguration of museum in Carcar City.

Mathea Langomez, one of the five families affected by the massive crack found in the mountain of Barangay Vive, was more thankful for the construction materials that the officials have promised to give.

“Salamat gyud kaayo ninyong tanan na inyo ming tabangan pagtukod ug balay (Thank you very much for all of you, that you will help us build our house),”Langomez said while in tears.

Langomez, who is living at the slope near the crack, said they have evacuated to her relative in Barangay Malalay since Sunday following the recommendation of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7.

She said they will build their new house outside the danger zone but will visit their livelihood sources like their farm and animals in the morning.

Blanco, in a separate interview, said they are left with no choice but to allow the affected families to go back to the area in the morning because it is where they earn a living.

Blanco said they start giving out construction materials provided that the lot acquired by the affected families to build their new house is approved by the MGB-7. – (FREEMAN)