City to push for release of P1.3 M calamity fund
Several houses in this coastal part of Sto. Niño
Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo City were destroyed by strong
winds and waves brought by stormy weather last
week.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod will hold today (Monday) a special session to declare some barangays in the city under the state of calamity and to call for the release of P1.3 million calamity fund intended for those families who lost their houses due strong winds and waves brought by two tropical cyclones last week.
The proposal to hold a special session was made by Mayor Jerry Treñas to the members of the city council for the immediate release of the funds. The mayor intends to give the victims cash assistance other than the food and other relief assistance they received from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Based on the records of the CSWDO, there are 846 families who are affected, 29 houses totally destroyed and 734 partially damaged mostly in the coastal barangays of Iloilo City.
The affected families sought shelter in their barangay gymnasium and other structures designated as evacuation areas. The victims were rationed with rice, instant noodles and canned sardines.
Heavy rains also flooded the city's different streets and all low-lying areas. Clogged drainage contributed to the flooding.
Reportedly, Treñas plans to extend cash assistance of P3,000 each for the families whose houses were totally destroyed and P1,500 for every family whose houses were partially destroyed.
However, the mayor's plan is still subject for the approval of the council as there is a standing policy that local government units are prohibited to extend cash assistance to any victim of a calamity.
The P1.3 proposed calamity fund will be taken from the five percent calamity fund of the city. The release of the calamity fund is governed by policies and subject for audit procedures.