Nagpatawag ng isang “special session” si Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso sa konseho ng Maynila upang ipasa ang isang resolusyon na maglalaan ng pondo na gagamitin upang tulungan ang mga lubhang naapektuhan ng bagyong Odette sa probinsya ng Cebu at iba pang lugar sa Visayas at Mindanao.
“I have already asked the presiding officer of the City Council, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, to immediately hold a special session and a resolution be passed allocating a certain sum of money for the typhoon victims in the Visayas and Mindanao,” saad ni Moreno.
Hiningi rin ni Moreno ang tulong ng mga Manileño upang makapagsimula ng isang “fund drive” para sa relief efforts na ihahatid sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo.
Ipinalukala ng akalde ang “Tulong ng Manilenyo sa mga nasalanta ni Odette,” isang fund-raising activity na maaaring pasimulan ng mga local businessmen at volunteer groups na sumusuporta sa kampya ni Moreno sa pagkapresidente.
“Thankful as we are that Metro Manila and Luzon were spared by the Typhoon Odette, I now appeal to kind-hearted Manilenos to share whatever they can for our Visayan and Mindanao brothers severely affected by the typhoon,” sinabi ni Moreno.
Nakausap na rin umano ng campaign chief ni Moreno na si Lito Banaya si Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia at ipinaabot sa kanya ang plano ng alkalde na personal na ipaabot ang tulong na nagmula sa lungsod ng Maynila.
“I was told by Cong. PJ Garcia that they do not yet have a clear assessment of the damage from Odette since power and communication lines were down at the height of the typhoon. Hopefully, power will be restored and the Cebu airport becomes operational again by next week,” ani Banayo.
Inanunsyo ng Visayan Electric Company, Inc. o VECO sa kanilang Facebook page na malaking porsyento ng kanilang nasasakupan ang naapektuhan ng bagyo, “95 percent of our franchise area are interrupted due to strong winds. We have suspended our line restoration and survey works since the weather has worsened and it will be unsafe for everyone.”
Ayon kay Banayo, magpapatuloy ang kanilang isinasagawang relief operations hanggang muling makabangon ang mga sinalanta ng bagyo.
“Relief operations is the easier part in every calamity. The more difficult part is the rehabilitation of those affected, especially poor people who lost their homes and livelihood,” salaysay ni Banayo.
(By: Aj Lanzaderas Avila)