By Jim Lloyd Dongiapon
In order to help the 27 municipalities, cities, and provinces affected by recent natural disasters, the Davao City Council authorized the distribution of ₱53.3 million in financial aid and welfare goods.
The funds will come from the city’s Calamity Fund or its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fun for the current fiscal year.
A total of ₱14.3 million in financial aid will be distributed to the local government units (LGUs) hit by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Luzon, Tropical Depression “Maymay,” Typhoon “Neneng,” and Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng.”
Financial assistance amounting to ₱1.3 million was allocated to the areas affected by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck on October 25, 2022. The province of Ilocos Norte will receive ₱1 million, while the municipality of Lagayan in Abra will receive ₱300,000.
For areas affected by Tropical Depression “Maymay,” the city has allocated a total of ₱1.6 million, with ₱1 million for the province of Cagayan and ₱300,000 each for the municipalities of Allacapan and Santa Praxedes in the same province. These areas were also affected by Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng.”
Six LGUs affected by Typhoon “Neneng” will receive a total of ₱2.5 million. The province of Ilocos Norte will receive another ₱1 million, while the towns of Claveria, Sta. Ana and Sanchez-Mira in Cagayan; Adams in Ilocos Norte; and Calanasan in Apayao will each receive ₱300,000.
Nine LGUs recently ravaged by Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” have been allocated a total of ₱6.5 million worth of aid. Maguindanao, Albay, Aklan, and Cavite will each receive ₱1 million, while the cities of Cotabato, Calbayog in Samar, Zamboanga, and San Pedro and Biñan in Laguna will each receive ₱500,000.
Seven other municipalities will receive ₱300,000 each. These are Upi and Parang in Maguindanao; Sebaste in Antique; Hilongos in Leyte; Mogpog in Marinduque; Dao in Capiz; Amulung in Cagayan; and Pigcawayan in North Cotabato.
The remaining ₱39 million of the total aid for the LGUs will be allocated to welfare goods (₱30 million), fuel, oil, and lubricants (₱5 million), traveling expenses (₱2 million), and other expenses (₱2 million).
Davao City Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, Chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, said the city still has a disaster fund of ₱120,575,875 for the remaining months of 2022, as per the certification of the City Budget Officer, Ermelinda Gallego.