BAGUIO CITY – City officials granted financial assistance amounting to PhP1 million from the 2024 current appropriations under the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Quick Response Fund of the city government to Batanes which was declared under a state of calamity due to the massive devastation brought by Typhoon Julian.
Under Ordinance No. 67, series of 2024, the council authorized the City Mayor to facilitate the transfer of this amount and to coordinate with the Batanes provincial government for the proper use of the donation pursuant to principles of transparency and accountability.
Earlier, the body considered a letter dated October 7, 2024 of the City Mayor that requested the donation amounting to PhP1 million as financial assistance of the city government to the Batanes provincial government which was placed under a state of calamity due to the massive devastation brought by Typhoon Julian.
Batanes has been severely affected by Typhoon Julian that caused significant destruction and loss. Rapid disaster assessment reports showed that the typhoon affected around 6,854 families composed of 21,398 individuals.
Further, disaster management data also showed that 68 families or 231 individuals were rescued, and at least some 2,463 houses were partially or totally damaged Palay and vegetable farms were also destroyed, leaving the farmers with around P4 million production losses.
The Batanes provincial government subsequently declared a state of calamity pursuant to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 to facilitate immediate response and recovery measures and to expedite recovery and relief operations.
The council pointed out that the city government recognizes the urgency of providing support to fellow local governments affected by disasters and is committed to extending financial assistance to alleviate the hardships being faced by the affected Batanes residents.
Moreover, the local government, through its LDRRMF, allocated funds to assist localities affected by disasters in times of crisis as part of its humanitarian efforts and commitment to the principles of solidarity and resilience.
The council’s Committee on appropriations and finance cluster A on budget, appropriations and expenditures, in its 2nd indorsement dated November 5, 2024, recommended approval of the earlier CDRRMC resolution granting financial assistance to Batanes. By Dexter A. See
