Talisay CH employees still hold office in tents

CEBU, Philippines - Due to strong tremors and aftershocks, the Talisay City government has put off the return to the city hall for the time being.

Vince Monterde, head of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC), said the plan to reopen the city hall has been postponed because of the series of jolts.

“Balik na unta ganina (yesterday) but ang mga empleyado nahadlok man kay nagkakusog pud ang aftershocks,” Monterde said.

He said the City Engineering Office last Saturday issued the clearance to open the city hall yesterday when the aftershocks seemed to have dissipated.

But last Sunday and early morning yesterday, Cebu were awakened by strong tremors.

Although engineers had assured that the damage was only structural, Monterde said after yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony, employees  were told to remain in the tents, which continue to serve as makeshift offices since last Thursday.

On the other hand, Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes received a P500,000 cash assistance from Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who came to Cebu yesterday to hand out P18.5 million in financial aid to affected local government units.       Monterde said the money will be used to buy construction materials to be distributed to the affected families.

Nine houses were destroyed by the earthquake, while 238 sustained partial damage.

The city council earlier declared the city under a state of calamity, but Monterde said the city has yet to determine the amount it would release to be used in rebuilding damaged houses, classrooms, and other public buildings. (FREEMAN)