La Castellana seeks faster release of OP funds

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By Dolly Yasa

LA CASTELLANA, Negros Occidental — The La Castellana municipal government is urging the expedited release of national assistance funds as it works to relocate families severely affected by recent calamities, citing mounting daily costs in sustaining thousands of evacuees.

La Castellana Vice Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan told reporters over the weekend that several displaced families have already come forward, informing the local government that they own land or homelots where they can immediately build new houses.

Mangilimutan, together with her brother, Mayor An̈ejo Nicor, led the Lights On Ceremony on Saturday, honoring the families affected by Typhoon Tino.

White balloons were released to underscore the need for unity as the town recovers from Typhoon Tino’s onslaught and to symbolize hope for recovery.

“They can no longer return to their former communities, particularly those located in danger zones and along riverbanks,” Mangilimutan said.

To help them begin rebuilding, Mangilimutan said the municipal government has already prepared initial assistance for these families.

However, she lamented delays in the release of the PHP 10 million assistance from the Office of the President, citing pending documentary requirements and a special disbursement process.

“The PHP 10 million has not yet moved because there are documents that still need to be signed and returned to La Castellana,” the mayor said.

She added that the local government is complying with all required procedures to facilitate the release of funds.

Despite the delay, the LGU has extended immediate financial assistance to survivors of those who died or remain missing, with the aid sourced from municipal funds.

She stressed the urgency of utilizing the PHP 10 million fund, noting that relocation sites have already been identified for families whose homes were totally destroyed and for those living in high-risk areas where return is no longer allowed.

“We cannot randomly relocate families. These are severely affected households who have nothing left, as well as residents who lived near riverbanks and can no longer go back,” she said.

The mayor also appealed for the speedy release of the PHP 10,000 and PHP 5,000 assistance promised to affected families, while hoping for the continued delivery of food packs by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for evacuees still inside evacuation centers.

At present, La Castellana is supporting an estimated 4,000 internally displaced persons daily — around 3,000 evacuees in centers and an additional 200 affected by Mt. Kanlaon activity — placing a heavy financial burden on the municipality.

According to the vice mayor, the LGU spends close to PHP 500,000 daily for food alone. While rice and breakfast are provided through DSWD food packs, the municipality shoulders lunch and dinner at an average cost of PHP 35 per viand per meal.

Additional expenses include water supply, fuel, medical and financial assistance for sick evacuees, and burial assistance for fatalities inside evacuation centers.

“These are the realities we are dealing with every day,” Nicor said, adding that not all challenges are within the LGU’s control.

Despite these constraints, the local legislative body assured continued support for the mayor’s proposed measures to address both the needs of internally displaced persons and the municipality’s regular programs, some of which have been delayed due to the ongoing crisis.

“We are doing our best, even in small ways, to put something in place for our people,” Mangilimutan said.