Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Thursday that the Office of the President (OP) will be donating over PHP170 million to expedite the recovery of Cebu, following the severe impact of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province on Sept. 30. During the situation briefing at the Bogo City Hall, Marcos said the provincial government of Cebu will receive PHP50 million from the OP, while Bogo City and the municipalities of Sogod and San Remigio will get PHP20 million each. Marcos said the OP will also provide PHP10 million each to the towns of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.
According to Philippines News Agency, all hospitals run by the Department of Health (DOH) in the province will receive PHP20 million each, while provincial hospitals will get PHP5 million each. "This is only an initial release. We are contemplating further releases that will be coming, that will be in the pipeline," Marcos said. "Kasi naman kung magbabagsak kami ng masyadong malaki, hindi magamit kaagad (If we release too large an amount at once, it may not be utilized immediately). So, we'll just [release], according to [the] needs and we will depend on the province to give us the ongoing situation reports para alam namin kung saan at anong gagawin (so we'll know where assistance is needed and what actions should be taken)," he added.
Marcos said he has also directed the Department of Budget and Management to release an additional PHP150 million for Cebu province and PHP75 million each for San Remigio, Bogo City, and Medellin under the Local Government Support Fund. The Chief Executive said he would also meet with the Senate and the House of Representatives to facilitate the immediate release of the Quick Response Fund (QRF) to ensure the speedy recovery of quake-hit areas. "Alam ko yung 'QRF ng ibang mga agency, paubos na. So, magre-release tayo ng QRF, 'yung Quick Response Fund na ginagamit namin para immediately (I know the QRF of some agencies is already running low. So, we will release additional Quick Response Funds, which we use for immediate assistance)," Marcos said.
Marcos also gave assurance that earthquake victims will each receive PHP10,000 in cash assistance. "We are providing for all of those who have been displaced, lalong-lalo na 'yung mga nawalan ng bahay (especially those who lost their homes)," he said. "Binibigyan natin ng PHP10,000 na cash assistance at least sa umpisa. Kung kailangan pa nila baka maulit. Titingnan natin kung papaano na ang takbo ng ating recovery (We're giving them PHP10,000 in cash assistance, at least to start with. If they need more, we may give additional support. We'll see how the recovery progresses)."
