Rama assures residents: You will get typhoon aid

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has reassured those qualified to receive the P5,000 financial assistance to typhoon victims that they will get it whether the Commission on Elections approves the city’s appeal in relation to the election ban or not.

Rama earlier vowed to provide P5,000 cash assistance to each homeowner affected by Typhoon Odette.

“I would like to go back to my statement at the outset, I always look beyond. Naay ihatag nga exemption, way ihatag nga exemption, preparado ta kay ma-lift ra man gihapon na inig human ining tanan (election),” said Rama.

The distribution of the assistance was temporarily suspended due to the ongoing election ban imposed by the Comelec.

Lawyer Gerry Carillo, chairperson of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, already sent a letter to the Comelec head office to seek the needed exemption.

Rama is asking the Comelec to check on the appeal of the city government.

“Akong ihangyo, palihog, I wish Comelec, ila nang trabahoon,” he said.

The mayor said that homeowners need not worry as distribution will surely resume after the elections and his term is until June 30.

“Moabot man gani ang lifting sa Comelec, samot na gyud ayaw mo kaguol kay ang akong termino kutob pa man June 30,” said Rama.

While awaiting the decision of the Comelec, Rama instructed City Administrator Suzanne Ardosa to prepare everything so that there will be a smooth flow of distribution of aid when the time comes.

As reported earlier, there are still around 40,000 homeowners waiting to receive their share of the financial aid.

The city government already distributed at least P531 million in financial assistance to residents, whose houses were damaged by typhoon Odette in December last year. — JMD (FREEMAN)