Landbank: P21.2-M aid released to 198 LGUs affected by Odette

OF SAN FERNANDO -- National Nutrition Council (NNC) challenged barangay captains and other members of the barangay nutrition committees (BNC) to be nutrition champions, citing their vital role in the nutrition and development of their communities.

Health Assistant Secretary and NNC Executive Director Azucena Dayanghirang said the activity is a testament of the barangay captains’ commitment to their constituents to improve their nutritional status.

“As you may observe in your barangay, there are still many children who are malnourished. Many families suffer from hunger, and more so now because of the pandemic. Hunger and malnutrition hinder full development and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

That is why we seek to regain your commitment to nutrition,” she said.

The NNC official added that with the full devolution starting in 2022, local government units will fully implement delivery of health, nutrition, and social services with the additional funds they will receive by virtue of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling.

Also, Dayanghirang said that improving the nutrition of the people is also giving them hope because better nutrition leads to children who are taller, more intelligent, with improved social adaptation, and likely to have higher productivity and better incomes to uplift their l i ves.

With this, she said it is expected that barangay captains take

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO---Despite transportation and connectivity challenges in areas affected by typhoon Odette, state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has successfully completed the turnover of P21.2-million worth of financial assistance to 198 local government units (LGUs) for their relief and recovery efforts.

Recipients of the donations include provincial, city and municipal government units from areas severely affected by the typhoon, including Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Leyte, Bohol and Cebu. Other LGUs who have received financial assistance are those from Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Palawan.

LANDBANK has set aside P200,000 each for six provinces, P150,000 each for 16 cities, and P100,000 each for 176 municipalities.

“We consider LGUs as our valuable partners in various initiatives, including in the delivery of relief and recovery interventions to local communities. Providing affected LGUs with immediate financial assistance in the aftermath of typhoon Odette is crucial to quickly address the fundamental needs of our countrymen,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

Donations were also collected among LANDBANK personnel for the benefit of the Bank’s employees and communities significantly affected by typhoon Odette through the LANDBANK AMBAG System (Alternative Mechanism of Benevolent Assistance for the Greater good) cash donation campaign.

Majority of LANDBANK branches and most automated teller machines (ATMs) in areas affected by the typhoon were already restored to service the banking needs of the customers. Meanwhile, some branches are temporarily closed due to COVID-19 exposure of personnel and ongoing disinfection activities to ensure the health and safety of LANDBANK clients and employees.

The Bank’s Agent Banking Partners which include cooperatives and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), among others, are also serving the basic banking requirements of the customers, such as cash withdr aw al s.

With the New Year, LANDBANK reaffirms its commitment to providing unwavering support to the nation to fast-track recovery and promote development that is inclusive and sustainable.