Bagonhon families get PHP10,000 aid as ‘Kanlaon’ calms

BAGO CITY, Negros Occidental — “So that they will know they will never be abandoned by our city government.”

This was the message of Mayor Marina “Mayette” Javellana-Yao as she led the distribution of financial aid to 22 displaced families staying at the Payag sang Kapag-on Village in Barangay Napoles on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 14.

The families are set to return to their homes on Saturday, Aug. 16, after months at the city’s resettlement site following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon in December last year.

Each household received PHP10,000 in financial assistance from the city government through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.

Javellana-Yao said the seed money aims to help the families rebuild and resume their previous way of life.

“I hope that even in small ways, they can feel that through the little things we do, we still think of them so they can be settled back into their homes,” she said.

In addition to cash aid, the evacuees will receive roofing sheets and other construction materials from the city government.

On Saturday, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and City Social Welfare and Development Office, along with other agencies, will hold a bayanihan activity.

They will assist in the decampment and deliver housing materials and food packs to the families in Purok Manokan.

“I really love it when everyone helps in a bayanihan kind of sharing of what little help we can give them,” the mayor said.

“Many agencies will also be joining us, so I am very thankful to everyone who took part so we can pull them up and help them start again,” she added.

Javellana-Yao also reminded the families to pray for good health as they return to their homes in Barangay Ilijan.

The evacuees expressed their gratitude to the city government, especially to the mayor, for the continued support.

Ninety-two-year-old Juanita Mesobra, who received body lotion and a walking stick from the mayor, said, “I am really happy. This truly helped me. Thank you, mayor.”

“I am truly grateful and happy. This is a huge help for us as we return to Purok Manokan,” evacuee Melanie Blace said.

Also present during the distribution were CSWDO Head Leah Pilipina Canayon and CDRRMO’s Ryan Valero.