BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental provincial government will extend P2 million in financial assistance to Bogo City, Cebu — the epicenter of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the Visayas last week.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson announced the commitment on Monday, saying the province has “adopted” Bogo City to help in its recovery efforts.
“We have decided to adopt Bogo. We’re sending P2 million,” Lacson told capitol reporters.
The financial aid comes as the One Negros Response Team, composed of responders from the provincial government and nine local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, continues to deliver relief assistance to affected areas in northern Cebu.
Since their deployment on October 3, the team has been providing potable water to residents in Bogo City and neighboring municipalities. During their initial two-day operation, from October 4 to 5, they distributed 92,100 liters of safe drinking water, benefiting 921 families or 4,605 individuals.
Lacson said Negros Occidental “stands with Cebu in this time of need,” and encouraged other LGUs in the province to adopt quake-hit localities if their resources permit.
The governor, along with other provincial officials, also expressed gratitude to the nine LGUs that joined the One Negros Response Team — San Carlos, Sipalay, Silay, Sagay, Cadiz, Talisay, Escalante, and Victorias cities, and the municipality of Toboso.
“Your courage, compassion, and unity prove that in times of crisis, Negros Occidental stands not just for itself, but for the entire nation,” the provincial officials said in a joint statement. (PNA)
