THE Davao City Government pledged to donate P5-million cash assistance to victims of Super Typhoon Lawin (Haima) that struck Northern Luzon and placed several areas under the state of calamity,
Following the request of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to pass an ordinance authorizing the City Mayor to utilize a portion of the 30 percent Quick Response Fund out of the five percent Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund (calamity fund) of the City Government for Calendar Year 2016, a resolution was approved under suspended rules in Tuesday session.
"This [ordinance] is under Suspended Rules in response to the call of Mayor Duterte to treat this as an urgent matter. We suspended the rules of the Council to take up a very important matter and this involves the appropriation and authority to disburse the amount of P5 million as our financial assistance to affected victims of Typhoon Lawin," Davao City Councilor lawyer Diosdado Mahipus said in his privilege speech.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the P5 million cash assistance was broken down based on the degree of calamity destruction it caused on different provinces.
Base on the resolution presented by Mahipus, the Davao City Council has approved the P1.8 million assistance for Cagayan, P900,000 for Ilocos Norte, P200,000 for La Union, P150,000 for Apayao, P350,000 for Mountain Province and P1.6 million for Kalinga, Apayao for a total of P5 million.
The assistance is expected to benefit 495,937 people, 103,431 families and 1,007 barangays.
"According to local government code, we can use calamity fund sa mga areas within Davao City but, we can also use this to help other LGUs (local government unit) who are in need," Mahipus told the reporters, adding these provinces must present documents supporting their claims such as copies of City Council resolutions declaring the city or a municipality under the state of calamity.
So far, the areas to receive the cash assistance has successfully complied with the necessary conditions prior to the disbursement of the cash assistance.
"We cannot quantify if how much each family will receive, but it may vary according to the guideline of the local government concern on how they will give the donation," Mahipus added.
He bared that five percent of the City Government budget of P7 billion will be deducted. This means that the government will now have a remaining P345 million pesos for calamity fund.
Mahipus said the cash assistance will be delivered as soon as the check containing the amount will be signed by the city mayor.
"It is our duty and responsibility to come to the rescue of our fellow Filipinos in times of national disaster and calamity," Mahipus said.
The aftermath of Lawin's fury in several provinces was evident as Mayor Duterte said that the city is willing to extend its assistance to any place hit by disasters.
"Davao City and Dabawenyos are always ready to help areas that are devastated by calamities," Mayor Duterte said.