MEETING OF CITIES. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia speaks during the virtual 70th National Executive Board Meeting of the League of Cities of the Philippines held on Dec. 11, 2020. The city mayors assessed the crises that affected the cities this year and the steps the group plan to undertake starting next year. (Photo courtesy of League of Cities of the Philippines)
BACOLOD CITY – The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has raised some PHP7.1 million worth of donations and pledges for member-cities devastated by the series of typhoons in November.
The figures were released by the LCP on Monday. The group’s National Executive Board earlier formed a special committee to respond and provide assistance to cities affected by typhoons during its virtual meeting attended by 78 cities held on Dec. 11.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, national LCP president, said the city mayors assessed the crises that affected the cities this year and are set to undertake steps to help them recover faster starting next year.
“This is the right time to take stock of the experiences of our member-cities, following the eruption of Taal, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the destructive typhoons in previous months,” Leonardia said in a statement.
Despite the challenges this year, the Bacolod mayor remained optimistic in the year ahead.
“With these, 2021 is shaping up to be a year of recovery and strengthening our capacities for resilience, not only for our cities but also for the LCP,” he said.
During the 70th NEB meeting presided by Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, national LCP chair, Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan was tasked to head the special committee.
In November, Panaligan had already appealed to member-cities to extend financial support to cities that have been severely affected by Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses.
Aside from the PHP7.1 million raised by the LCP, some PHP900,000 was already given by several members to the affected cities, the league said.
Also during the meeting, both Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado and Undersecretary Herman Jumilla shared the important provisions in the Department of Budget and Management’s Covid-19 Financial Assistance to the Local Government Units.
Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko also presented the various credit financing facilities available to the cities. (PNA)
