CITY TO ASSESS OMPONG’S DAMAGE

Before it can send financial assistance to those affected by Typhoon Ompong

Davao City has been assessing the damage of Typhoon Ompong in Luzon areas to give financial assistance to affected families.

City Administrator Zuleika T. Lopez, during an interview with reporters yesterday, said before the city can release a calamity fund, the law requires a resolution of the state of calamity of the area.

“Although meron na tayong information na marami talaga ang nasalanta ng bagyo. The city is preparing for that and once we have the necessary documentation, we will endorse it to the Sangguniang Panglungsod for appropriate action,” Lopez said, adding that the fund to be given as financial assistance will be based on the number of affected families.

Lopez also said that once the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) issued the resolution allowing the release of the fund, the city will also assist in the relief operations.

“Ang kailangan naman siguro nila is assistance from our end on how to do it (the distribution of financial assistance and the relief packs),” Lopez said.

Meanwhile, she assured that there has been enough fund for the financial assistance.

“We have a budget from the Quick Response Fund that we can access to help those who are affected in the calamity, however; the law will require some documentation to it,” she said.

Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday, September 12, and affected at least 250,036 individuals in Luzon, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Meanwhile, the city government of Davao will extend help to areas devastated by Typhoon Ompong over the weekend.

“Davao City and the Dabawenyos are always willing and ready to help other provinces in times of calamities,” Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said.

Lawyer Raul Nadela, Jr., the mayor’s chief, said Davao will be distributing 10,000 packs of relief goods to people in areas affected by the typhoon.

“The repacking of relief goods has started and we are hoping to start the distribution by Tuesday. Each pack will have rice and canned goods in them,” he said.

We have a budget from the Quick Response Fund that we can access to help those who are affected in the calamity, however; the law will require some documentation to it. City Administrator ZULEIKA T.

Photo by Macky Lim FISHERFOLKS’ AID. From left, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority General Manager Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, Office of the Special Assistant to the President Assistant Secretary Atty. Vanessa Goc-Ong, local government of Davao representatives, Davao fisherfolk representative and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 11 Director Fatma Idris during the ceremonial turnover of the P3 million aid to the fisherfolk of Davao at the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority Fish Port Complex in Toril, Davao City yesterday.