Council reviews aid for Zambo

CEBU, Philippines - The Committee on Budget and Finance of the Cebu City council is now reviewing the proposed resolution, on the city government extending financial aid to Zamboanga City, particularly to those affected by the recent conflict between rebels and government troops.

During last Wednesday’s executive session, the council endorsed to the committee the proposal of Councilor Dave Tumulak to donate P5 million as financial assistance to Zamboanga where members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) laid siege more than a month ago.

Tumulak also represents Mayor Michael Rama for the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CCDRRMC).

“Resolved, to authorize the Honorable Mayor Michael Rama to give cash donation to Zamboanga City in the amount of P5,000,000, to help our brothers and sisters who are victims of the war, and to help Zamboanga City in its recovery and rehabilitation of the destruction of properties and the damage of its economy,” stated in Tumulak’s proposed resolution.

It also noted that the mentioned amount would be taken from the city’s calamity fund.

Last September 30, a CCDRRMC Resolution recommended for the City Council to pass a resolution on giving financial aid to Zamboanga City, indicating their recommendation for  “…the Sangguniang Panlungsod, authorizing Honorable Mayor Michael L. Rama to give cash donation to Zamboaga City in the amount of P5,000,000 taken from the Quick Response Fund of 2013 LDRRM Fund on the relief, rehabilitation, provision of financial assistance and restoration efforts of Zamboanga City so as to provide maximum care, humanitarian aid and services to individuals and families affected by the siege.”

Rama, for his part, said he is pleased that the council tackled the matter as he has previously expressed the intention to help Zamboanga shortly after the conflict started.

“We have done this before with flooded Cagayan de Oro including Iligan City, earthquake stricken Negros Oriental among others. And infairness to my predecessor, this gesture has been the practice since his time,” Rama said.

He added that there was no need to rush for the approval and release of the financial assistance considering the procedural requirements.

Meanwhile, Cebu City has yet to finalize the extent of aid to be extended to local government units in both provinces of Negros Oriental and Occidental which were heavily flooded due to non-stop heavy rains.

“I was already on the outset when I heard about it (flooding). I talked to Dr. Pek Eng Lim (ERUF) and Dr. Wyben Briones (AMRO Cebu City), Dave Tumulak, from CCDRRMC Sim Romarate and Alvin Santillana to check how can we help including how much do we need to give as aid. It is better to give than be recipients because it is certainly not easy to recover from disaster,” the mayor said.  (FREEMAN)