The Negros Occidental provincial government, its 31 towns and cities, and Bacolod City are receiving P309.8 million in typhoon “Odette” rehabilitation funds from the Bureau of the Treasury and the National Housing Authority (NHA).
The Bureau of the Treasury has allocated P41,153,745 for the Negros Occidental provincial government and NHA turned over P90 million for the rehabilitation of houses destroyed by the typhoon, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday, December 29.
Lacson, at the NHA turnover rites at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and the NHA for the timely response to the dire need of Negrenses to restore their homes.
“For many of the displaced Negrense families, the trauma and suffering are unbearable. It is extremely taxing for families to try rebuilding their homes while starving and thirsty,” he said.
Almost two weeks after typhoon “Odette” brought devastation, the need to rebuild the 190,868 houses damaged and 65,871 destroyed is urgent, he said.
“In a year of unprecedented threats to humanity, we are grateful to everyone who extended assistance and help,” Lacson said.
A lot of Negrenses still need power and food, aside from shelter, he said.
“Across the country and the province, we have seen the spirit of giving, cooperation and accord. It is in these difficult times that we are reminded that we are bound together and that we have to look out for each other,” the governor said.
He called on all local chief executives of typhoon-hit areas to continue to enhance coordination and ensure the systematic distribution of assistance so that everyone affected can be helped.
On the Bureau of the Treasury assistance, Lacson said the province will wait for the proper guidelines on its use and he suggested that the LGUs do the same.
“Let us also look at the long term rebuilding we need to address, Lacson stressed.
The Bureau of the Treasury has downloaded P10,854, 858 for Bacolod.
It has also downloaded for Don Salvador Benedicto – P4,851,047, Bianalbagan – P5,706,085, Calatrava – P2,018, 825, Candoni – P4,458,198, Cauayan – P9,013,538, EB Magalona – P3,330,066, Hinigaran – P4,502,910, Hinoba-an – P2,112,543, Ilog – P12,880,295, Isabela – P740,190, La Castellana – P5,668,352;
Manapla – P2,621,365, Moises Padilla – P3,596,340, Murcia – P1,750,766, Pontevedra – P1,367,065, Pulupandan – P969,808 , San Enrique – P3,327,529, Toboso – P1,059,419, Valladolid – P4,449,512, Bago City – P10,777,173, Cadiz City – P3,941,875, Escalante City – P5,198,401;
Himamaylan City – P19,380,054, Kabankalan City –P17,170,210, La Carlota City – P6,805,800, Sagay City – P7,592,249, Silay City – P5,228,224, San Carlos City – P6,968,594, Sipalay City – P2,783,309, Talisay City – P2,423,265 and Victorias City – P5,151,545.*