The Bacolod City government is set to donate P2 million to several Luzon provinces badly affected by typhoons “Rolly,” “Quinta” and “Ulysses,” Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said today, November 20.
Leonardia said that “it was by God’s grace that Bacolod was spared of these calamities wrought by climate change and it is our civic duty to reach out and help those LGUs in Luzon that have been hit hard by these typhoons that struck one after another”.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, chaired by Leonardia, approved the financial assistance during its 4th Quarter Regular Meeting Thursday (Nov. 19).
Also leading the meeting were Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who chairs the Bacolod Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19, Executive Assistant Jose Ma. Vargas, and Bernadeth Montelibano, administrative officer of the City DRRMO, a press release from the Bacolod Public Information Office said.
The council also discussed the COVID-19 Pandemic Situationer Report, 4th Revision of DRRMF AIP 2020 for approval, Proposed DRRM AIP 2020, Update Bacolod City DRRM Plan for 2020-2022, inventory of available evacuation centers for non-COVID emergencies/disasters, and other matters.
The League of Cities of the Philippines, led by Leonardia as the national president, will determine which LGUs will avail of the Bacolod donation after it will be combined with donations from other cities that will participate in the nationwide fund drive now being undertaken by the LCP.
DONATION DRIVE
Aside from the financial assistance, the City Government has also organized a drive to facilitate private sector donations in kind for the typhoon-hitk provinces, particularly Isabela, Cagayan, and Tuguegarao.
This is through the Bayanihan Center located at the Tourism Satellite Office (near SM City), the press release said.
City Assessor Maphilindo Polvora, who chairs the Food Committee of the Bayanihan Center, said donations in kind can be dropped off at the Bayanihan Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.
Those who have inquiries may call the Bayanihan Center at (034) 2139332 or 0920-9003648, the press release said.
Councilor Ayesha Joy Villaflor, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Bacolod, with the help of Councilor Cindy Rojas, has also organized a multi-sectoral donation campaign for victims of the recent typhoons.
Villaflor has partnered with Saranggola Dream Project and PassFast, with the latter providing free shipping for the donations.
The donation drive of the Bacolod SK Federation is strengthened by participating groups such as Akbayan Youth Bacolod-Akbayanihan, Samalaya-Sages USLS Bacolod, Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health, Dakila, TUP-V Student Council’s #Amliganay, Bar Café, Tao Gamma Phi, Rotaract Club Marapara, Rebolusyonaryong Alyansa Makabansa-Jhaguar Bacolod Chapter, Negros Unity Riders, NMRA Negros Motorcycle Riders Alliance, Bacolod 143 Alerts, Golden Hearts Movement, and Guinpana-an National High School-Poblacion Extension Supreme Student Government, the press release said.
Donations in kind can be dropped off at Villaflor’s office at the 2nd floor of the Bacolod City Government Center, it added.
Villaflor said they will ship the next donations on Monday, November 23.
For inquiries on how to donate through Villaflor’s office or for her staff to pick up your donations, one can contact 0908-546-7135, the press release added.*