Photo by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The City Government of Davao is set to give P4.5-million assistance to families who have fled from homes near the erupting Mayon Volcano in the Province of Albay.
An ordinance which authorizes the local government to use a portion of the city’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) for 2018 has been approved on Tuesday, January 30, by the city council.
Based on the ordinance, the multi-million assistance will benefit six Albay cities and municipalities namely Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Ligao, Malilipot, Tabaco, Sto. Domingo, Legazpi, and Bacacay. Each will receive a total of P500,000.
Albay was placed under a state of calamity last January 16 due to the threat of the ongoing hazardous eruption from the country’s most active volcano.
Affected residents due to Mayon’s eruption has reached to 22,9918 families or 89,962 individuals.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on the same day announced that Mayon Volcano “generates an energetic lava effusion with sporadic lava fountaining events last Monday evening.”
PHIVOLCS said it remains to be at alert level 4, prohibiting the public to enter the 8-kilometer-radius danger zone.
Meanwhile, prior to the approval, Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Sr. raised the concern on why the said affected local government units will be receiving the same amount of assistance when these do not have the same number of affected residents and barangays.
Emmanuel R. Jaldon, head of Davao Central 911 Communication and Emergency Response Center. explained that “there was a consideration in terms of financial capacities” of the mentioned cities.
“One of the inputs is based on the financial capacities of the cities,” he said.
Mahipus suggested that there should be a “standard” on liquidating the amount of financial aid the city shall be given to other municipalities and cities since the money is of workers and employees of the city.
“I am not against this but please consider this is Juan dela Cruz’ hard-earned money of the City of Davao,” Mahipus said.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the committee on finance, ways and means and appropriations, however assured that the proposed ordinance comes with complete pertinent documents. (davaotoday.com)
