Various City Hall offices tapped to distribute aid

CEBU, Philippines —  The different departments and offices of the Cebu City government are now being tapped to help in the distribution of financial assistance to city residents affected by typhoon Odette.

Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros said they want to release all financial assistance as soon as possible because of the election ban that is set to take effect on the last week of March.

Hontiveros recalled several incidents wherein typhoon victims have to pull Mayor Michael Rama aside to show their damaged houses during the latter’s visit to the different barangays.

“Sa sige’g suroy-suroy ni Mayor Mike Rama, bitaron na siya nganong ilang balay wala malista na nadamage man ni,” said Hontiveros.

The City Council approved earlier an additional budget for financial assistance to 80,000 affected residential structures.

Hontiveros told The Freeman that Rama’s instruction was for the assigned departments to go to the affected residents themselves with the assistance of the barangay officials since they are more familiar of their area and the intended recipients.

The city government has advised the affected residents who have yet to receive assistance to have their names listed at the help desk of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) at the Cebu City Sports Center.

It was, however, clarified that those that have already received cash aid from any of the national government agencies can no longer claim financial help from the City of Cebu.

Meanwhile, the distribution of the first quarter financial assistance for registered persons with disabilities in Cebu City will start today until the 17th of March. It will be done either in the barangay gyms or schools just like that of the senior citizens.

Based on the data from DSWS, there are 12,944 PWDs registered in the city. — FPL (FREEMAN)