MANILA,Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) in quake-ravaged areas in Mindanao, particularly in North Cotabato, are running out of calamity funds, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Lorenzana and several heads of government agencies flew to North Cotabato yesterday to determine how the national government could address the needs of evacuees.
“We want to see what are still lacking and find out what the national government can do... The situation remains fluid. LGU calamity funds have dried up,” he said.
Lorenzana also cited requests for funds to repair houses and buildings destroyed or damaged in the quakes.
At least 46,250 families or 231,250 individuals in 251 barangays in Davao and Soccsksargen were displaced in three quakes, which struck last month.
A total of 7,477 families or 36,183 people remain in evacuation centers.
The National Disater Risk Reduction and Management Council said 34,482 structures were damaged in Western, Northern and Central Mindanao as well as Davao and Bangsamoro regions.
Among those affected were 33,150 houses, 10,760 schools and 73 health facilities.
More aid
Meanwhile, residents of North Cotabato towns received more relief supplies and assistance from national government agencies and local government units yesterday.
The Department of Health (DOH) sent medical teams, including psychosocial experts, to provide psychological support to quake victims.
The DOH said it has provided P4.4 million in various supplies, such as drinking water, chlorine tablets, water containers, micronutrient powders, ready to use thearpeutic food, assorted medicine hygiene kits, tents and cadaver bags, to residents of Northern Mindanao, Davao and Soccsksargen.
The Department of Labor and Employment said it would conduct occupational safety and health investigation in business establishments affected by the quakes.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) delivered more than 1,000 gallons of purified water as well as tarpaulins to be used in makeshift shelters.
Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, 6th ID commander, said military vehicles were dispatched in North Cotabato to transport villagers in remote barangays to evacuation centers.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao delivered another truckload of relief goods to Kidapawan City to complement the relief operations of the provincial government.
The provincial government of Lanao del Sur set up an outdoor clinic in Makilala to attend to the needs of sick evacuees.
Lanao del Sur Gov. Ma-mintal Adiong Jr. sent a medical team to treat evacuees in Makilala who fell ill after eating packed meal served to them early this week. – John Unson, Sheila Crisostomo