DAVAO CITY — Mayor Sara Duterte approved on Tuesday the release of PHP4.2 million from the city’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) as additional cash assistance to earthquake-hit areas in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato provinces.
The city earlier provided PHP1.5 million to five towns affected by the October 16 earthquake; Bansalan, Magsaysay and Matanao towns in Davao del Sur; and Tulunan and Makilala in North Cotabato.
Alfredo Baloran, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRMMO), said the additional cash aid will help the local government units address the needs of the affected families.
Baloran said that from the PHP4. 2 million, PHP1 million will be allocated each for the provinces of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato; PHP500,000 each for Kidapawan in North Cotabato and Digos City in Davao del Sur; and PHP300,000 each for the towns of Mlang, Magpet, Matalam in North Cotabato; and Hagonoy in Davao del Sur.
“As soon as we can get the check, I will personally deliver it immediately,” Baloran said.
Aside from cash, 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 (OCD 11) in North Cotabato.
Meanwhile, the Davao City Oplan “Tabang” composed of city gov’t offices, Philippine National Police (PNP), Minute Burger, Civilian Volunteers, and Task Force Davao (TFD) has scheduled the distribution of relief goods to the 10 barangays in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur on Wednesday.
Col. Consolito Yecla, commander of TFD, said that the relief goods will be properly turned over to the Provincial Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the municipal EOC.
“The target evacution areas have been coordinated with the EOC based,” he said.-PNA
