Cebu City adopting Palo for rehab

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City government has finally opted to “adopt” Palo town, one of the typhoon-ravaged areas in the province of Leyte.

 This was agreed upon by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, his four allied councilors and four allies of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan in the city council.

Rama yesterday convened with councilors Gerardo Carillo, Lea Japson, Eugenio Gabuya, Richie Osmeña, Mary Ann Delos Santos, Hanz Abella, James Cuenco and Dave Tumulak to discuss the “adoption” program of the city.

Rama said the councilors did not disagree as to deciding on the municipality of Palo. Although, he said the councilors may go to Palo for them to personally assess because “to see is to believe”.

 Earlier Tanauan and Ormoc, also in the province of Leyte, were also being considered for the said program, being badly hit by the world’s most powerful typhoon. However, Rama explained that Ormoc has already received a lot of help from different local government units while Muntinlupa City has adopted Tanauan.

Rama said the city government will only focus on the town’s rehabilitation by tapping private sectors for a multi-sectoral concept.

He added that the city will be providing equipment and machinery for the construction of houses and study other means to help the town rebuild.

Rama earlier said tapping private sectors, including the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and other organizations, will make the program holistic and comprehensive.

 Partnering with private sectors will also mean the city will be relieved of some financial concerns, considering the city is also still recovering from the 7.2-magnitude earthquake, and is planning to build a new city hospital.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Councilor Dave Tumulak earlier lauded the “adoption program” of the city government to help towns ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda rebuild from scratch.

Labella said the said program is for “humanitarian consideration.”  (FREEMAN)