For security, Capitol asks orgs to coordinate

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is asking non-government organizations – both local and foreign – to coordinate with Capitol if they want to give help to the typhoon victims in Northern Cebu.

“We encourage them to coordinate with the provincial government for us to know their intention so that security will be given,” said PSWDO chief  Evelyn Senajon.

Senajon, clarified, that the provincial government’s concern is security and that the organizations do not have to course their donations through Capitol.

“Ang amoa lang is to pay courtesy. Wa mi kabalo sa ilang intension nga manghatag ba sila og kwarta. Basin unya unsa pa lay mahitabo nila. (We’re only asking that they coordinate so we will be aware of their plans… just in case something happens to them),” she said.

Senajon found out that there are foreign NGOs extending cash assistance to the affected families. One donor reportedly gave out P3,000 to each of the 300 families in a barangay in Daanbantayan town.

As of yesterday, PSWDO recorded 13 local and international NGOs extending assistance to the typhoon victims in Northern Cebu.

Meanwhile, PSWDO also clarified that the remaining packs of relief goods are made available to augment the food-for-work program of the local government units which encourages the affected residents to help cleaning up debris brought by the destructive storm.

As of  Thursday, the provincial government distributed 260, 642 food packs to the affected families in Northern Cebu, said Senajon. There are 17, 865 remaining packs which are intended for the said program.

Governor Hilario Davide III said that distribution of relief goods was already halted to pave way for the food-for-work program of the local governments.

He further added that they are now in the phase of rehabilitation but still waiting as to the assessment of the total damages.

As of yesterday, from provincial government record shows that the partial cost of damages incurred from Yolanda was pegged at over 1.1 billion pesos. –/JMO (FREEMAN)