THE Metro Manila Council (MMC) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) agreed to extend financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) that were affected by Typhoon Odette.
In a resolution, both bodies adopted the “We Vax as One” concept and agreed to release a total of P100 million from the savings of the MMDA to help LGUs affected by typhoon “Odette” (international name: Rai)
Severe damage across the Visayas region and several provinces in Mindanao have been reported following the typhoon’s onslaught.
“This financial aid will help especially in this trying times. It’s Christmas after all, a time of sharing and giving,” MMDA chief Benhur Abalos said.
According to Abalos, they opted to provide financial aid to help out typhoon-affected LGUs with their efforts to recover from the severe damage inflicted by “Odette” instead of relief goods because it is difficult to transport in and out of the localities hit by the typhoon and several flights remain cancelled.
“Affected LGUs are in the best position to decide how the fund can provide for the immediate needs of their constituents. We hope this aid will somehow alleviate the plight of the typhoon victims,” said Abalos.
The Metro Manila mayors earlier unified their pandemic response efforts through the “We Vax as One” (We Vaccinate as One) program to further accelerate the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Metro Manila aimed towards population protection.
Metro Manila LGUs have adopted the concept for other LGUs to inoculate people who are not residents of their respective LGUs and are residents of neighboring provinces.
The MMC, composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.
Meanwhile, the MMDA also deployed a team composed of 62 personnel from the agency’s Public Safety Division (PSD), Road Emergency Group (REG), Metro Parkways Clearing Group (MPCG), and Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office. They were sent to Bohol on Sunday and also brought with them chainsaws, floating pumps, generator sets, tool sets, and water purifiers, tankers, etc., in order to assist in the disaster response operations in areas badly hit by the typhoon.
The team was also deployed in Tacloban City, Maasin, Sogod municipality in Kaitagan Bontoc, and Isla Limasawa in Southern Leyte.
Ahead of the typhoon, the MMDA deployed a contingent in response to the request of the provincial government of Sorsogon. Abalos said he approved the request of Acting Sorsogon Governor Manuel Fortes, Jr. to preposition the MMDA’s team in the province in anticipation of typhoon Odette’s landfall.
Other teams from the agency’s Public Safety Division were also deployed in Panay region to help in search and rescue operations.