Baguio extends help to Zamboanga City

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - The Baguio City government is reaching out to its sister city – Zamboanga -  which has suffered from damages due to the hostilities of the Moro National Liberation Front.

The Baguio City council last week allocated P200,000 from its Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Fund as donation to the victims of the clashes in the distressed city.

“There are thousands of people who were displaced due to the ongoing standoff…Homes as well as properties and people’s livelihood in Zamboanga City were destroyed due to the said crisis hence the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Zamboanga City declared their city under a state of calamity,” the city council's Resolution Number 269 noted.

“Baguio City being a sister city of Zamboanga City by virtue of Resolution Numbered 138, Series of 1993, it is our duty to do our part by sharing what we can give to ease the sufferings of the distraught victims,” the city council said.

“The City of Baguio was also a victim of calamities in the past and we have received donations from generous provinces and cities and it is but proper to reciprocate such generous acts to our city by donating some amounts to calamity stricken areas,” the resolution penned by Councilors Elmer Datuin and Richard Carino said.

As per the resolution, the fund shall be directly remitted to the Zamboanga Local Crisis Management Committee that is undertaking the relief operations in the area.