Cebu City, Philippines - The city government of Cebu City has announced a PHP5 million financial assistance package for localities in Mindanao affected by the recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
According to Philippines News Agency, Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia stated that the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) is yet to finalize the list of Mindanao localities to receive the aid. Garcia emphasized the need for a formal declaration of a state of calamity in the affected areas as a prerequisite for disbursing the financial assistance. Areas affected by the earthquake include General Santos, Koronadal, Davao, Digos, Tagum, Panabo, Sarangani, Cotabato, and Kidapawan. The city aims to focus its aid on the most severely impacted localities. The CCDRRMO, led by Harold Alcontin, is currently assessing which cities and municipalities will be eligible for the aid, with initial estimates suggesting assistance ranging from PHP200,000 to PHP500,000 for each selected locality.