LGUs send relief teams to Tacloban

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The provincial governments of Maguindanao and North Cotabato will send relief teams to Tacloban City to help victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda recover from the tragedy.

The office of North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza, said their relief and rehabilitation group would leave for Tacloban City on Saturday.

The team will bring with them relief supplies donated by the residents and the local government units.

The provincial government, which started collecting donations Tuesday, is coordinating with government agencies that can expedite the transport of relief supplies and medical personnel to Tacloban.

The office of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, the league of mayors in the province and the provincial board formed joint relief and rehabilitation mission.

The team will depart tomorrow for Tacloban bringing with them food packs, medicines and non-food item, according to Bobby Katambak of the Maguindanao provincial board.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya has donated P500,000, while the board members of Isabela will donate part of their salaries for the typhoon victims in the Visayas.

Nueva Viscaya Gov. Ruth Padilla pledged to raise more funds by putting up donation sites in several areas in Bayombong. Earlier, the provincial government sent three medical personnel to Tacloban City.

For his part, Isabela Vice Gov. Antonio Albano said he would forego his birthday party on Nov. 26 and would donate P20,000 from his salary this month for the typhoon victims. The board members pledged to donate P5,000 each.

Although affected by Yolanda, the provincial government of Negros Occidentanl and the city government of Bacolod are sending financial and other assistance to Tacloban and other typhoon-hit provinces.

Mayor Monico Puentevella said they are donating P300,000 in cash aside from relief goods for Tacloban residents and would send a medical and rescue team to help in the relief efforts.

The provincial board has authorized Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. to open an account with the Development Bank of the Philippines where donations for typhoon victims can be deposited. – John Unson, Charlie Lagasca, Danny Dangcalan