The Negros team distributing water in Cebu.* photo courtesy of Irene Bel Ploteña
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson announced on Monday, October 6, that the provincial government is donating P2 million to Bogo City, Cebu, which was recently devastated by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake.
“I am encouraging local government units in Negros Occidental to make donations to earthquake-hit areas in Cebu if their budgets will allow it,” Lacson said.
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya also confirmed last week that the city would make a separate donation to Cebu, though the exact amount was still undetermined as of Monday.
The Negros Response Team, comprised of personnel from the provincial government and nine local government units (LGUs) — San Carlos City, Sipalay City, Silay City, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Talisay City, Escalante City, Victorias City, and Toboso — is currently assisting residents in Cebu.
Lacson expects the main response team to return to Negros Occidental on Friday. However, the team from Victorias City, which arrived in Cebu on Monday, will probably stay a little longer, he said.
Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), said as October 5, the team had distributed 92,100 liters of potable water to 4,605 individuals, or 921 families, in Cebu.
Lacson again thanked the nine LGUs for joining the mission, stating they were “showing that we in Negros don’t just think of ourselves but also of others in need.”
A recognition program would be held for those who joined the Cebu mission upon their return, he said.*