ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has placed this city under a state of calamity so that immediate assistance can be provided by the city government to those adversely affected by super typhoon “Odette”.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) recommended the declaration. It would allow the city government to use its calamity fund.
Super typhoon “Odette” hit the city on Dec. 17.
Under Memo No. 60-2019 of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), a city, municipality, province, or region may be placed under a state of calamity when any of the following conditions brought about by natural and/or human-induced disasters are present:
* at least 15 percent of the forecasted affected population based on science-based projection are in need of emergency assistance
* disruption of lifelines such as food supply chain, electricity, potable water system, other transport systems, communication systems that cannot be restored within one week, or in the case of highly-urbanized areas where restoration of the above lifelines cannot be done within 24 hours.
According to the CDRRMC, the typhoon-affected in the city has reached 72,523 individuals equivalent to 15.85 percent of the city’s population (457,626 as of the 2020 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority).
This affected population included the following:
* 6,675 evacuees in shelters
* 45,810 persons with either totally or partially damaged houses
* 20,038 persons affected by fallen trees and electric posts
The city council also cited the result of the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDNA) on the status of lifelines and critical facilities. Among these were:
* roads and bridges – passable but with some obstructions like fallen trees, electrical poles and scattered signages
* electricity – power outage due to strong winds caused on Dec. 17 (city fully energized by Dec. 18)
* loss of access to internet and loss of cellphone signals
* 20 schools used as evacuation centers
* cancellation of sea trips (many passengers got stranded)
* water supply system challenged by high demand for potable water
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The city government has allotted P42.2 million as assistance to typhoon-affected families sourced from the local DRRM Fund, supplemental budgets, and un-appropriated budgets from the annual budget and General Fund through a reprogramming approved by city council.
According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, the city will give P10,000 cash assistance to families with totally damaged houses and P4,300 to those with partially damaged houses.
Data from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) showed 9,143 houses in 138 barangays were damaged (405 totally and 8,736 partially).
Jaro district has the highest number of houses damaged at 2,650 followed by La Paz with 1,796 and Molo with 1,579.
There were 1,120 damaged houses in Arevalo, 816 in La Puz, 708 in the City Proper, and 474 in Mandurriao.
Treñas said the distribution of the cash assistance will be done by district before the year ends.
“Gusto ta mag-New Year ang aton pumoluyo daw nami man bala batyagon nga nakabulig ta,” said Treñas.
The city mayor revealed that senators Franklin Drilon and Tito Sotto also committed to help by sending galvanized iron sheets, bamboos, nails and other construction materials./PN
