Cash aid for quake, Tino victims awaits SP nod

Months after the devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake and Typhoon Tino hit Cebu, the provincial government is moving to release financial assistance to affected families, pending approval of a proposed trust fund by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

- Jonnavie Villa with Hannah Gresha Abayon, UP-Cebu Intern and Sandara Laurente, CTU-Tuburan Intern/MRM

At least P10,000 in cash aid per family is in the pipeline for those severely impacted by the twin disasters, a provincial official said, as part of efforts to accelerate recovery across northern Cebu.

Based on initial data from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, around 14,200 families were affected by Typhoon Tino, while 10,500 families were impacted by the strong earthquake.

The financial assistance, which will be sourced from a proposed trust fund, is still awaiting approval from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan before it can be released.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the proposal had already been endorsed weeks ago and is now awaiting legislative action.

"Na-endorse naman na two weeks ago during the PDC Execomm. Once ma-approved na, naa sa Trust Fund ang atong financial assistance for the earthquake and Typhoon Tino," said Empaces.

He added that the P10,000 aid will be given as financial assistance to affected families, subject to validation, and is targeted for release within the second quarter of the year.

"Financial assistance rana, subject for validation. Once ma-approved, ma-release na namo within the second quarter," he said.