BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The city government has distributed financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) affected by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.

City Administrator Vittorio Jerico Cawis personally handed over the financial assistance recently, on behalf of Baguio City to the mayors of the municipalities of Glan, Malapatan, T’boli, Jose Abad Santos, Lake Sebu and General Santos City.

The assistance amounts to P600,000 each for General Santos City and Jose Abad Santos, while Glan, Malapatan, T’boli and Lake Sebu each received P300,000.

Cawis noted the hapless condition of Glan and Malapatan which suffered severe devastation.

“Until now, most of their residents are in the evacuation centers because of the damages wrought on their houses with damaged houses reaching more than 5,000. Some won’t be able to return because of the land fissures.  Even their LGUs are still operating in makeshift tents and container vans.  They badly need help,” he said.

Cawis said separate donations of P300,000 each will be sent to Don Marcelino and Sarangani Island whose local governments likewise declared a state of calamity following the earthquake.\

Earlier, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chaired by Mayor Benjamin Magalong recommended allocating P3 million from the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Quick Response Fund to assist the quake-stricken LGUs.

The city council approved the financial assistance as part of the city’s commitment to help affected communities recover from the devastation caused by the powerful earthquake. – Aileen P. Refuerzo