BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Typhoon-affected victims in 15 barangays of Ilog town in Negros Occidental yesterday received P12.7 million worth of house construction materials and food packs from the provincial government of Negros Occidental, with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson personally leading the distribution of relief assistance.
Lacson said that a total of 2,940 Ilog town residents who were badly hit by Typhoon Odette in December last year, are recipients of the assistance which includes roofing materials.
He was assisted by Ilog Mayor Paul Alvarez, former Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Board Member Jeffrey Tubola and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz in the distribution of relief assistance in three different areas of the municipality.
Lacson is also expected to distribute similar assistance to typhoon victims in Cauayan, Kabankalan City and Candoni, after completing the distribution of similar aid to Hinobaan town residents.
On February 1, the provincial government of Negros Occidental received P1 million aid from the city government of Iligan in Mindanao, which Lacson said will be used in the purchase of additional roofing materials.
He thanked the Iligan City government for the donation, stressing that “this will help in our continuous aid for typhoon victims.”
Lacson also said that the provincial government already received the memorandum of agreement to be signed between him and the National Housing Authority, for the P50 million housing assistance to typhoon affected victims in the province.
He added that he will forward the MOA to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental, for him to be given an authority to sign.
Then, we will discuss its distribution and who will be the recipients, which will depend on reports coming from local government units,Lacson said.
He added that they are also waiting for the complete distribution of aid by the Bureau of Treasury to various local government units to typhoon affected victims before they can distribute the P41 million share of the province.
Once already LGUs already have their financial assistance, then, we can identify who will also be given assistance, Lacson further said.*
