BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Typhoon Odette victims in Negros Occidental are expected to receive of P197.7 million in relief assistance from the provincial government, disclosed Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday.
Lacson, who led the distribution of more than P5 million worth of roofing materials and food packs to 400 typhoon victims in Hinobaan yesterday, said that the P197.7 million are total funds on hand for distribution.
Of the amount, he said that P90 million came from the National Housing Authority, P63.8 million from the provincial government, P41 million from the Bureau of Treasury, and P2.9 million from the private sector.
“These are the funds on hand for distribution,” Lacson said.
A total of 2,500 banana seedlings and solar lights with charger were also distributed.
Mayor Ernesto Estrao reported that about 15,000 households in Hinobaan were affected by the recent typhoon, with damages on infrastructures and crops amount he estimates at more than P1 billion.
As of this time, Estrao said that 30 to 40 percent of power has been restored in Hinobaan.
From Hinobaan, Lacson said they will schedule next week the distribution of relief assistance to the town of Ilog, which was also devastated by typhoon Odette.
Estimated damage left behind by typhoon Odette to Negros Occidental was placed at almost P6 billion.
Since local government units already started giving out their share of funds from the Bureau of Treasury (BOT), maybe we can start doing also on the part of the province” Lacson said, apparently referring to the P41 million share from the BOT.*