By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Typhoon “Odette”-affected victims in 15 barangays of Ilog town in Negros Occidental, yesterday received P12.7 million worth of house construction materials and food packs from the provincial government, with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson personally leading the distribution of relief assistance.

Lacson said a total of 2,940 Ilog residents, who were badly hit by super typhoon “Odette” in December of last year, are recipients of the assistance which included materials that could be used to rebuild destroyed or damaged houses.

The governor was assisted by Ilog Mayor Paul Alvarez, former Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Board Member Jeffrey Tubola ,and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.

Lacson is expected to distribute similar assistance to typhoon victims in Cauayan, Kabankalan City and Candoni, after completing the distribution of similar aid to Hinoba-an town residents.

On February 1, the provincial government received P1 million aid from the city government of Iligan in Mindanao.

Lacson said the funds will be used in the purchase of additional roofing materials.

He thanked the Iligan City government for the donation, pointing out it will help in their continuous aid for typhoon victims.

Lacson also said that the provincial government already received the memorandum of agreement (MOA), to be signed between him and the National Housing Authority, for the P50 million housing assistance to typhoon affected victims in the province.

He added that he will forward the MOA to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for him to be given an authority to sign.

They will then discuss its distribution and who will be the recipients, which will depend on reports coming from local government units.

The governor is also waiting for the complete distribution of aid by the Bureau of Treasury to various local government units to typhoon-affected victims, before they will also distribute the P41 million share of the province./DGB, WDJ