To help earthquake victims: Cebu adopts Surigao town

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government will adopt San Francisco, Surigao del Norte, the town that was badly hit by the magnitude 6.7 earthquake last February 10.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has decided to adopt the said town after receiving the report of Nagiel Bañacia, who heads the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“The town of San Francisco has been neglected. There’s very little assistance coming in,” Osmeña said.

The Cebu City government will give a lump sum to assist the town.

Bañacia, in his report, said the town was drastically and greatly affected by the 6.7-magnitude earthquake.

The earthquake destroyed practically all public buildings, which include the town hall, police station, fire station, municipal gym, and school buildings.

Bañacia added that the Surigao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office recommended to focus the help to San Francisco since the town needs help the most.

Bañacia said he also talked to the Surigao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and to Vice Mayor Alfonso Cassura who also recommended giving the help to San Francisco since the rest of Surigao have minimal damages.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the town of San Francisco lies in a fault line that’s why it has greater damage, Bañacia said.

“And they have nothing.  They are even borrowing the transportation, the vehicle of the parish priest to distribute the goods,” Osmeña said.

Aside from San Francisco, Bañacia said other towns including Surigao City are already receiving help from national agencies and NGOs.

Previous reports have shown that roads were partly damaged and the Anao-aon Steel Bridge in San Francisco collapsed and is not passable.

The earthquake that hit Surigao del Norte left at least six people dead and hundreds injured.

Four days ago, Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas declared the entire province under a state of calamity. — Vania Mae B. Lim (FREEMAN)