THE Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has approved the proposed P500-million assistance for victims of Typhoon Odette and other disasters in the province.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who presided the PDRRMC Regular Meeting held at the Provincial Capitol's Social Hall in Bacolod City on Tuesday, January 4, said the assistance will be sourced out from the contingent fund and other sources for endorsement to the Provincial Board.
The council has also approved P13.8 million worth of shelter assistance to be sourced from the DRRM Trust Fund.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II, who was also at the meeting, said the amount is to be distributed to typhoon victims whose houses were either damaged or destroyed during the onslaught of the typhoon.
Diaz said while the Provincial Government has received about P41 million from the National Treasury, "we have not yet received any clear guidelines on how to disburse this as to recipients, qualifications, how much will each receive and the documents needed."
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said they will come up with a joint memorandum circular governing the release of these funds from the national government, he said.
Meanwhile, Diaz said the P90 million from the National Housing Authority (NHA) may have hitch a glitch as they requiring a lot of documents from them.
Before, you could just submit the numbers of recipients, but now, they require a master list of those whose homes were either damaged or destroyed, he said.
The master list should also be certified by the local government units (LGUs) and the barangays, the official added.
"This will take time," the provincial administrator said, adding that the Provincial Government cannot wait until the National Government can make up their minds.
The governor wants it released this week, he said, adding that they will prioritize those with totally damaged houses.
Each recipient will receive six pieces of corrugated GI sheets, two flat sheets, food and financial assistance.
"We hope to deliver this relief package at the soonest time possible to about 2,000 affected Negrenses," Diaz added.
Also present during the meeting were council members, Board Members Juvy Pepello and Rita Gatuslao, PDRRMC Secretariat head Ma. Lina Sanogal, and Provincial Disaster Management Program Division Head Zeaphard Caelian, among others.
