Camanava launches fund drive for mudslide victims

Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, not contented with placing paid ads appealing for donations from his constituents, yesterday urged the City Council to appropriate P2 million as further assistance to the disaster-stricken people of Barangay Guinsaugon in St. Bernard town, Southern Leyte.

This developed as the city governments of Caloocan and the town of Navotas, in the Camanava area yesterday also launched their respective fund drives for the victims of the mudslide.

As early as Saturday, the city government of Valenzuela initiated its own campaign for help for the victims of the disaster that struck the remote village.

Gatchalian followed this up by placing ads in newspapers calling for donations to the victims.

Donations are accepted at City Hall until Friday. They may call Venus Gaoiran or Marither Menia at 2920211.

The STAR gathered yesterday from city hall sources that Vice Mayor Antonio Espiritu have made representations earlier with City Councilor and committee on appropriations chairman Richie Cuadra pushing for the approval of a P2-million fund as requested by Gatchalian.

The mayor said the amount will be taken from the city’s own calamity fund and from other possible sources.

The City Council meets today in session and is expected to approve the request in a resolution.

Sources said the city councilors, deeply commiserating with the people of Guinsaugon, were reportedly inclined to approve a higher amount, possibly P3 million.

Meanwhile, Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri called on city residents to provide any kind of assistance.

The mayor said all generous donors may send clothes, beddings and food, among others, including cash. He said donors may send their donations through the Mayor’s Office, the City Social Welfare and Development Office and the Public Information Office.

Donors may call 288-8811 local 2302 (CSWD); 324-4960 (Mayor’s Office); and 324-4644 (PIO) for assistance.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco also appealed to his constituents to extend help to the grief-stricken people of Guinsaugon in any way they can.

"We wish to extend whatever possible help we can and even in our own little way," Tiangco said. He said all donations may be send to the Public Information Office (PIO) under Jerry Doringo, PIO chief, and the local social welfare office.

QC passes resolution

The Quezon City Council has passed a resolution which extends the condolences of the city government and the allocation of a certain amount as assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the mudslide in Barangay Ginsaugon.

Council majority leader Ariel Inton said the resolution, which he authored, passed was passed in response to the appeal of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to help the victims of the mudslide.

"The City Council fully supports the call of the mayor. With this resolution, he will be given a free hand in allocating certain amounts as contribution for the relief and rehabilitation of the affected residents in the area," Inton said.

The resolution allows the city government to send a medical team to assist in the treatment of the victims who are still confined in various hospitals.

Inton said the amount of money to be donated will be determined by the office of the city mayor in coordination with the city department of health and social services.

Earlier, Belmonte initiated a fund-raising campaign among city residents. – With Perseus Echeminada