FUND RECIPIENT. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor on Monday (March 27, 2023) (left) gives Estancia Mayor Chic Mosqueda a total of PHP7 million check. A total of PHP28 million in disaster aid was released by the provincial government to several municipalities. (Photo courtesy of Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo)
ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo provincial government has released a total of PHP28 million in disaster aid to several towns for the construction of resilience hubs and the acquisition of rescue boats during Monday’s regular flag-raising ceremony at the provincial capitol.
“We have PHP5 million for strategic municipalities for what we call the resilience hubs. That is a headquarters for operations that we may consider under the Provincial Civil Defense Operations together with our municipalities. Again this will be for management of the environment, especially the seas,” said Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. in his message.
The hub that will be constructed in Miagao, Banate, Estancia, and Carles will complement the Provincial Civil Defense (ProCid) operations center at the provincial capitol, which will allow for faster response and efficient coordination in times of disasters and emergencies.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Officer Jerry Bionat, in a follow-up interview, said the municipalities were the first to accept the donation, have an available lot and are ready to manage the hub.
He added that the governor is eyeing to construct a total of 15 operations hubs before his term ends.
The hub that will be manned by personnel of the Municipal DRRM and PDRRM offices as well as the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police will be equipped with computers and communications equipment.
Meanwhile, the municipalities of Pavia, Tigbauan, Estancia, and Leganes each received a PHP2 million check for the procurement of boats for rescue operations in case of massive flooding.
“They will be the one to procure but we recommended that it will be manageable, flat, and movable,” Bionat said.
The provincial government, in previous years, has
released funds for the procurement of rescue boats to Sara, Dingle, Guimbal, Batad, Miagao, San Dionisio, Ajuy, Banate, Lambunao, Balasan, Zarraga, Lemery, Mina, Pavia, Tigbauan, Maasin, Calinog, Estancia, and Dueñas.
An additional PHP1 million each was allocated for rescue equipment for the towns of Guimbal, Batad, Sara, Passi City, Leon, Lambunao, Alimodian, and New Lucena.
He said that the governor would like to capacitate the LGUs since their calamity fund is not that big so they are equipped with facilities to make them more functional.
Iloilo is prone to typhoons, flooding, storm surges, and landslides. (PNA)
