Negros Occ allots P1.5M to Sendong-hit areas

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The Negros Occidental provincial government will give P1.5 million to victims of typhoon ‘Sendong’-hit areas of Negros Oriental and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. the other day said each of the three areas will be given P500,000 to be delivered next week. This is on top of the donations being made by the private sector in Negros Occidental, he said.

Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. said the fund allocation was approved by the Provincial Board during its regular session last Wednesday.

PB Member Salvador Escalante, finance committee chairman, said the P1.5 million was taken from the provincial government’s untouched calamity fund for this year, which totals P88 million.

Also at his birthday celebration in Sagay City last Wednesday, Marañon thanked the Fabricanian group for turning over a donation of P20,000 for the flood victims.

Meanwhile, Rep. George Arnaiz (2nd District, Negros Oriental) met Marañon at the Capitol the other day asking for help for his province, particularly in his district, which was badly hit by the typhoon and floods.

Arnaiz told reporters that his constituents would want donations to be in kind such as rice, noodles, sardines, dried fish and pots, kettles, and other cooking utensils, and pillows and blankets.

“We prefer goods because our local governments find it hard to account for cash donations,” Arnaiz said, although he told the governor that cash may be needed also for the reconstruction of damaged houses and other infrastructures.

Marañon, in response to Arnaiz’ request, said that instead of the P500,000 cash the Negros Occidental LGU will buy rice and other goods and turn these over to the Negros Oriental provincial government.  (FREEMAN)