Negros Occidental LGU extends fund aid to Surigao

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Negros Occidental provincial government is giving P1 million in financial assistance to earthquake victims in Surigao del Norte.

The Negros Occidental Provincial Board on Wednesday approved the request of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. for authority to release P1 million, to be taken from the 2017 grants and donations funds, for the Surigao earthquake victims.

On the other hand, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, meanwhile, also suggested to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council an immediate assistance of P3 million disaster fund for food, medicines and other needs of the earthquake victims in Surigao del Norte.

The quake left eight persons dead and 202 injured, and damaged school facilities, a hospital, roads, bridges, and around 1,034 houses, while 155 other houses were destroyed. It also affected more than 5,200 people, reports of The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed.

Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon, for his part, appealed to the faithful to share what they have with the victims of the 6.7-magnitude in Surigao. He issued a circular letter to all parishes in the Diocese of Bacolod to take a second collection on Sunday for the victims of the tragic quake. (FREEMAN)