• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental is set to receive P665 million in financial assistance from the national government for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano and Typhoon Tino, across the province.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is expected to attend the distribution of financial assistance at Malacañang Palace on Nov. 5.
The funding forms part of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund – Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (NDRRM-DRRAP), which provides assistance to local government units affected by calamities.
Lacson said the assistance will not be distributed directly to individuals but will be used for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and public facilities, based on the project proposals submitted by the respective local government units.
Typhoon Tino victims also received cash aid last year from Malacañang.
Among the allocations for areas affected by Typhoon Tino are P20 million for health facilities in Cadiz City, P5 million for bridges in Himamaylan City, P5 million for education facilities in Don Salvador Benedicto, P40 million for bridges in Isabela, and P100 million for bridges, agriculture, and local buildings and facilities in La Castellana.
Moises Padilla will also receive P100 million for the rehabilitation of bridges and its municipal hall.
For areas affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption, La Carlota City will receive P100 million for local buildings and facilities, housing and resettlement, and education projects.
Binalbagan will receive P100 million for road and bridge rehabilitation, while Murcia will get P5 million for education and health facilities;
Sagay City will get P90 million for local buildings and facilities, as well as P100 million for Bago City, also for local buildings, bridges and facilities.
La Castellana, Bago City and Moises Padilla are also among the local government units included in the assistance program for Kanlaon eruption-related rehabilitation.
On the other hand, Bayawan City, Bindoy and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental, which also hit by Typhoon Tino, are receiving P100 million, P50 million and P20 million, respectively, Malacañang records indicated.
Lacson said other regions that experienced calamities are also expected to receive their respective shares under the national government’s rehabilitation assistance program.
Meanwhile, officials and employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government held a commemorative Holy Mass at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall on Nov. 4 to remember those who died during Typhoon Tino and pray for the continuing recovery of affected communities.
Lacson said the Mass served two purposes which are to thank God for sparing the lives of survivors and to pray for those whose bodies have not been recovered.
The governor also urged Negrenses to remain strong and be prepared in facing future calamities, noting that Typhoon Tino brought unprecedented challenges to the province.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II also underscored the importance of unity and sustained support for families affected by the typhoon as the province continues its recovery efforts. | GPB
