Emergency assistance for displaced people in Mindanao hits P89.337-M

MANILA, Oct. 15 (PNA) -- The Philippine government, the United Nations (UN) and the private sector poured in a total of P89,337,869.64 as emergency assistance for the people in Central Mindanao displaced in the renewed fighting between government forces and Muslim rebels in Central Mindanao as of September, 21 this year, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), headed by Secretary Esperanza Cabral, chipped in the biggest assistance amounting to P16,758,966.37 used to purchase food, clothing, blankets, mosquito nets and other necessities.

The UN World Food Program (WFP) contributed P14,814,742, including 650 tons of rice for immediate assistance to 160,000 displaced families in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato.

The Department of Health (DoH), under Secretary Francisco Duque, released P11,464,265.14 for the purchase of assorted drugs and medicines for thousands of evacuees.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus released P10 million for the repair of damaged school buildings destroyed by rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in various parts in Central Mindanao.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, NDCC chairman, released P9,049,375 for the purchase of thousands of bags of rice and for the financial assistance to the families of victims who were killed in the crossfire in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

The amount of P10,000 was given to each family for burial expenses of their loved ones. Those injured got P5,000 each.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. released P7,281,000 for the construction of evacuation centers in Lanao del Norte, while the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG), headed by Secretary Ronaldo Puno, released P4,650,000 as fund assistance to victims of MILF atrocities.

Local government units (LGUs) also bought relief goods and medicines worth P9,449,631.80 for the evacuees.

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) confirmed the receipt of P466,656.33 as donations from various sectors for the displaced persons in Central Mindanao. The PNRC also brought in food rations, tarpulins and other materials for distribution to people affected in the latest fighting.

Other donors were the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), P4,165,500; TESDA of Lanao del Norte Provincial Office, P45,000; UNICEF, P450,000; JICA, 14 rolls of tarpaulin, 308 pieces water containers and 263 pieces of mattresses; Cristobal Blind Mission, P45,625; United States Agency for International Development (USAID); RPDO/CBM/ARMM P312,000; ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya donated food, bottled water, soup kitchen, games for kids, rice, noodles, canned goods, eggs, salt, vegetables, fresh fish, and old clothes; Ayala Foundation, Inc., P125,000; GMA Kapuso 100 sacks of rice, 100 boxes of sardines, 100 boxes of noodles; Holcim Cement, 14 boxes sardines, Smart Communications, four sacks of sugar, 25 boxes noodles, six boxes coffee and 10 boxes of bar soap and bottled water; UCCP, two sacks of rice and assorted food items' La Salle University – Ozamiz Cityl, assorted food and non-food items; Sen. Manny Villar, 50 boxes noodles; DXSY Radio Station, P200; RIA Thrift Bank, 10 boxes noodles; Super Mix Lutong Bahay, assorted noon-food items; Filipino-Chinese Chamber, 12 boxes noodles; La Cema Family, two pieces sleeping mats; Barangay Capt. Suezo, two packs pare plates/plastic spoons; Maxima Hardware, two sacks of rice/assorted food items; Couples for Christ, assorted food items; Ms. Estela Guangco, assorted non-food items; Cathedral Youth Ministry, 54 packs assorted biscuits; Labininay National High School, assorted food items; Seventh Day Adventist, Western Mindanao, assorted food items and non-food items.