Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara receives the cheque worth PHP50 million from Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Officer Amber Mirandilla in a turn over ceremony at the Albay Provincial Capitol on Wednesday (Jan. 31, 2018).
LEGAZPI CITY -- The Presidential Management Staff (PMS) handed over the additional PHP50-million aid “promised” by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the Mayon evacuees Wednesday morning.
"We are tasked to hand over the said additional financial assistance worth PHP50 million to the provincial government of Albay through Governor Al Francis Bichara," Amber Mirandilla, Presidential Staff Officer V of PMS-Bicol, said in an interview after the ceremony.
Duterte visited Albay on Monday and personally assessed the ongoing disaster operations amid Mayon Volcano's eruption that has so far sent 82,000 people to various evacuation shelters in six towns and three cities of Albay province.
During his visit, the President initially gave PHP25 million check to Bichara and assured PHP50 million additional aid.
Bichara, meanwhile, thanked the President for fulfilling his promise to the Albayanos.
"I believed his words. Lalaki naman kausap si Presidente, (The President is a man who keeps his promise.) I trust him, and we are thankful for giving us the additional financial aid," Bichara said.
The governor said that the fund will be use for the food, sanitation and health needs of the evacuees who fled their homes due to Mayon’s eruption.
"Pag kinapos kami, (If we experience scarcity) we will cry again, para marinig (so that we may be heard) from time to time, Bichara added. (PNA)
