OBLITERATED
No fireworks will illuminate the sky and no free concert will jump-start the New Year’s Eve countdown in Ayala, Makati as the city government decided to cancel the traditional celebration and, instead, allot the event’s 30-million budget to projects that will benefit those affected by Typhoon Ruby.
Acting on the request of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, the city council passed an ordinance that authorizes the city government to assist and finance rehabilitation projects in areas affected by the typhoon.
“We hope the residents and visitors of Makati, especially those who were looking forward to the countdown, would understand and support our decision to again forego it this year. So many of our fellow Filipinos are suffering and they need all the help we can give,” said the mayor.
Binay said more or less 456, 386 families in Western and Eastern Visayas, Bicol and Southern Luzon were affected by the typhoon, based on a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
The report also stated that Ruby caused major damage in Eastern Samar, specifically in the towns of Borongan and Dolores.
Binay said the supposed 30 million budget for the countdown celebration will be donated to rehabilitation efforts in these areas.
Since 2004, the city government has been hosting a New Year’s Eve countdown where local bands and artists were invited to perform.
The highlight of the event was the fireworks display which heralds in the New Year.
However, there were times when the city government had to forego the celebration. In 2009, the fund was donated to those who lost their homes in fires in the city, as well as those who were affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.
In 2010, it was once again cancelled so that the budget could be used to resolve the West Tower oil leak crisis in Brgy. Bangkal. Last year, they also had to forego the event to donate the P50 million budget to Yolanda victims.