Iloilo sends PHP 5,000,000 aid to Cebu quake victims

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo provincial government has formally handed over PHP 5,000,000 in financial assistance to Cebu province to support relief and recovery for victims of the Sept. 30 magnitude 6.9 earthquake in northern Cebu.

Provincial Administrator Raul Banias presented the check to Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Board Member Raymond Calderon on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

The donation, sourced from the province’s donations fund, will aid affected families in Bogo City, San Remigio, Medellin and nearby towns.

According to the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the earthquake killed more than 70 people, injured at least 592 and displaced over 26,000 families.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. earlier expressed Iloilo’s solidarity with Cebu, stressing the importance of interprovincial cooperation during calamities.

The provincial government is also finalizing plans to extend aid to Davao Oriental after magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes struck the province on Oct. 10.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo City government will provide PHP 200,000 each to earthquake-hit areas in Cebu and Davao Oriental, with Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu saying the funds are being finalized with the City Budget Office.