Tornado-hit areas now under state of calamity

CEBU, Philippines - Mambaling Barangay Council has declared under state of calamity the three sitios hit by tornado Tuesday and allocated P50,000 to purchase construction materials for the affected families.

Barangay Captain Willy Go said the declaration covered sitios Nava, Lawis, and Viking which were directly hit by tornado. The barangay council agreed to allocate 30-percent of its calamity fund this year to buy coco lumbers, nails and other construction materials needed by the affected residents.

Although funds have already been allocated, Go said the procurement may take some time because of the process that they need to comply so as not to encounter problems with the Commission on Audit.

Go said he has asked help from Councilor Gerardo Carillo, who chairs the committee on social services in the City Council, to also allocate funds from the city government to procure GI sheets.

The Department of Social Welfare and Services reported at least 48 families directly affected by the tornado. But Go said that the figure has increased to 52 as of yesterday.

Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, however, warned about some residents who might take advantage of the opportunity to also report that their houses have been damaged by the tornado.

But Go said the barangay will conduct its own survey to validate the claim of the alleged victims. Aside from the houses, the barangay sports complex was also damaged by the tornado. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.  (FREEMAN)