More donations for typhoon victims

CEBU, Philippines - More than three months after super typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the Visayas, more donations continue to pour in for the victims. 

The Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority donated P1 million for the rehabilitation of damaged areas in Northern Cebu while the National Food Authority is set to turn over 16,000 bags of rice donated by the Chinese government for victims of typhoons as well as those affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last October in Cebu and Bohol.

Yesterday, MCIA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete handed over a check to Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

He said the money was shelled out from their corporate social responsibility budget, to help the province in its reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Northern Cebu.

Davide said that they still have to decide where the donation would be directed. “But maybe i-add nato ni sa pagpalit og material for reconstructions,” he added.

 Davide directed the slashing of the rehabilitation budget from P27 billion to P10 billion which was a more “realistic” allocation.

Meanwhile, the NFA will turn over 16, 000 bags of rice from the Embassy of China on March 12.

NFA-7 Director Danilo Bonabon said the 10,000 bags would be given to earthquake victims in Bohol while the 6,000 bags are intended for Yolanda victims.

Bonabon said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development would be the one to determine the recipients of the rice.

Also, the NFA would be renewing the Memorandum of Agreement with the local government units that availed the rice credit program intended for emergencies.

This would also be used for stockpiling in preparation for calamities, Bonabon said.

Meanwhile, a total of P25 million was also donated by CEMEX to help rebuild houses in northern Cebu.

CEMEX Philippines, one of the lead producers in cement and other ready-mix products, has partnered with the provincial government and the local government units in Northern Cebu and various non-government organizations to help the v ictims under the company’s new project dubbed as “Build Unity.”

“It’s not the money but the partnership created. In unity, there is strength. We can’t do it alone,” said Chito Maniago, CEMEX Philippines director for corporate communications and public affairs.

CEMEX Philippines tapped Task Force Paglig-on of the provincial government for the said project.

 Lawyer Ramil Abing, who appeared on behalf of Governor Davide, thanked CEMEX Philippines and other partners for their commitment and continued efforts in rebuilding Cebu. “The province is doing its best to help and is currently facilitating the release of the help from the national government,” Abing said.

Aside from the provincial government, “Build Unity” project also partnered with the city governments of Bogo and Danao where four unity villages will be built with the help of Gawad Kalinga.

 CEMEX Philippines has also partnered with the Department of Education- Cebu Division to rehabilitate Kawit National High School in Medellin and with 3 Villages, 1 Goal  (3V1G) to build a community health center in Malapascua Island as well as provide a “bancambulansya” (boat ambulance) to the residents and train them on first-aid and disaster response.

 This project also aims to build a community livelihood center in Carnaza Island where masonry skills training will be conducted with the help of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and install underwater cement sculptures and driftwood sculptures in various coastal towns that would serve as marine habitat as well as boost the areas’ ecotourism.

 Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. and Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro thanked all the government, non-government organizations and private entities that continue to send help to them.

They are aiming to acquire lots for the relocation of the many families that survived the typhoon Yolanda as well as rehabilitate the damaged houses and livelihood.

 â€œWe are committed to the province, and to the cities. You can count on us. This is not just an act of today but we are moving forward,” said Paul Arcenas, CEMEX Phils vice president for strategic planning. — (FREEMAN)