Davao City greenlights aid to quake-hit areas

The Davao City government on Tuesday announced that it is giving additional cash assistance to quake-hit areas in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato after Mayor Sara Duterte approved the release of some P4.2 million from the city’s Quick Response Fund (QRF).

In a statement, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRMMO) head Alfredo Baloran said that the additional cash aid will help the local government units address the needs of the affected families, noting that the amount will be given to the towns affected by the 31 October earthquake.

Davao City earlier gave P1.5 million to five towns affected by the 16 October earthquake — Bansalan, Magsaysay and Matanao in Davao del Sur and and Tulunan and Makilala in North Cotabato.

Baloran said that of the additional P4.2 million some P1 million is allocated each for the provinces of Davao del Sur and Cotabato; P500,000 each for Kidapawan in North Cotabato and Digos in Davao del Sur; and P300,000 each for the towns of Mlang, Magpet, Matalam in North Cotabato; and, Hagonoy in Davao del Sur.

Aside from the cash assistance, the city also extended relief goods to the affected areas as well as personnel augmentation and equipment during the search and rescue operation of the Office of the Civil Defense in North Cotabato.