In true Bilis Kilos fashion, the Manila City Council on Friday heeded the call of Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso and passed a resolution allotting P2.5 million in assistance for Cebu province and other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao that were badly hit by Typhoon Odette.
“Kahapon po, nakatanggap po tayo ng sulat galing sa ating pinakamamahal na alkalde na humihiling sa atin na magkaroon po sana tayo ng special session para tulungan po natin ang ating mga kababayan sa Visayas at Mindanao na lubusang nasalanta ng bagyong Odette,” City Council presiding officer and Manila Vice mayor Honey Lacuna said.
“Kaya kanina pong 11:30 ng umaga, tayo po ay nagkaroon ng special session at tayo po ay naglaan ng 2.5 million pesos para sa mga nasalanta ng Bayong Odette,” she said.
Of the amount, Lacuna said P1 million will be allotted to Cebu, and the provinces of Bohol, Leyte and Surigao del Norte will be allotted P500,000 each.
“Kami po ay nakikiramay sa ating mga kababayang lubusan po talagang nasalanta ng napakalakas ng bagyong Odette. Sana po ay makabangon po tayo sa nagyaring ito lalo na po at palapit na ang kapaskuhan. Sana po ay lakasan po natin nag ating mga loob. Tanggapin niyo po ang aming maliit na tulong ng ating pamahalaan ng Maynila,” Lacuna said.
Extending assistance to calamity victims is nothing new under the leadership of Mayor Isko, Lacuna pointed out.
According to the Vice Mayor, the City Government had also given assistance to the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption and the Cagayan and Marikina floodings, among others.
“Marami po tayong pinapadalhang tulong pag ganito pong klase ng mga sakuna. Hindi na po ito bago sa Lungsod ng Maynila na magbigay ng tulong sa atin pong mga kababayan,” Lacuna said.
Besides the financial assistance for the city government, Moreno has also appealed to Manilenos to initiate a fund drive and contribute to the relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Odette.
The 47-year-old local executive suggested “Tulong ng Manilenyo sa mga Nasalanta ni Odette” as a fund-raising activity that can be initiated by local businessmen and volunteer groups supporting Moreno’s presidential bid.
“Thankful as we are that Metro Manila and Luzon were spared by the Typhoon Odette, I now appeal to kind-hearted Manilenos to share whatever they can for our Visayan and Mindanao brothers severely affected by the typhoon,” Moreno said.