ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Government is extending financial assistance to earthquake victims in Cebu, in a move Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. described as an act of solidarity and compassion for fellow Visayans devastated by the 6.9-magnitude tremor.
Defensor said the provincial government is finalizing details of the assistance package within the week, including the amount to be allocated and the funding source.
“We are finalizing the details within the week because we have two sources of funding that we can utilize. We will make a decision within the day. The funds will come from the disaster fund, and we will process the necessary paperwork. There are no target numbers yet, as it depends on the budget and where the funds will come from,” he explained.
While the exact figures have yet to be announced, the governor assured that Iloilo’s assistance will directly reach the affected families in northern Cebu, where the quake caused widespread destruction and loss of lives.
“This is part of our continuing effort to strengthen solidarity among local governments during disasters,” Defensor stressed, noting that provinces must stand by one another in times of need.
The aid is being prepared as recovery efforts in Cebu continue following the September 30 quake, which left at least 72 people dead and 559 others injured, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported over 7,000 aftershocks as of October 6.
Defensor said Iloilo’s gesture also underscores the province’s proactive stance on disaster response, aiming not only to aid recovery but to promote inter-provincial cooperation in crisis management.
Further announcements on the fund amount and beneficiaries will be made once coordination and assessment are completed./PN
