• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday (Jan. 20) released P40 million in financial assistance from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to seven local government units (LGUs) hit by Typhoon Tino in a ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
The concerned LGUs, composed of La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Bago City, Binalbagan, Isabela, Pontevedra and Hinigaran, were able to comply with the requirements.
La Castellana and Moises Padilla received P10 million each, Hinigaran, Binalbagan and Bago City, P5 million each, and Pontevedra and Isabela, P2.5 million each.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the P10 million will be released to La Carlota City as soon as legal requirements are complied.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan earlier approved a resolution granting an authority for Lacson to sign memorandums of agreement with the beneficiary-LGUs for the distribution of the P50-million financial assistance from Malacañang.
The financial assistance were received by Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao, Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso, Isabela Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo, Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, Hinigaran Mayor Grace Arceo, and representatives of La Castellana Mayor Anejo Nicor and Binalbagan Mayor Emmanuel Aranda.
Lacson said the affected families may receive as much as P5,000 each.
Total damage across all sectors in Negros Occidental reached P1.9 billion, with at least 70 lives lost, and more than 40 reported missing.
Lacson also led the distribution of P3.99 million worth of projects under the Community-Based Nutrition Program for Pregnant Women and Malnourished Children to Ilog Mayor Paul Alvarez.
He turned over P1.05 million in insurance claims and benefits to 19 families of barangay tanods, officials and employees as well as barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars.
A total of 15 sewing machines were also distributed to families of former rebels. | GB
