Makati, Valenzuela send aid to Mindanao

Aid continues to pour into areas in Cotabato and Davao del Sur that were heavily hit by the series of earthquakes last month.

The Makati city government will extend P24 million in financial assistance to local government units in the affected localities.

The Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, chaired by Mayor Abby Binay, approved the financial assistance in a meeting on yesterday morning.

The mayor said she convened the council for an emergency meeting to expedite the release of financial aid to affected localities in the said provinces.

“The City of Makati empathizes with the victims of the recent earthquakes, and we would like to help them get back on their feet as soon as possible. Aside from financial aid, we will also share whatever resources we can spare,” Mayor Abby said.

She said the city will also donate school supplies to affected students in the two provinces. She added the city may deploy psycho-social support teams to conduct stress debriefing and help the victims recover from their traumatic experience.

The mayor said she expected the financial assistance to be included in the agenda of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in its regular session next week.

Meanwhile, the City of Valenzuela’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund is allocating P22 million from its quick response fund for local government units in the affected areas.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Valenzuela approved Resolution 1472, Series of 2019, authorizing Mayor Rex Gatchalian to release the P22 million from the QRF. It officially allows the transfer of P16 million to the Province of Cotabato and P6 million for the Province of Davao del Sur.