VALENZUELA CITY, PHILIPPINES - In response to recent natural disasters in Mindanao, the Valenzuela City government has provided PHP16 million worth of rice aid to three provinces hit by flooding and landslides.
According to Philippines News Agency, a native of the donor city, the aid was distributed on Saturday to Agusan Del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental. The allocation includes 12,800 sacks of rice, with Agusan Del Sur receiving PHP4.75 million (3,800 sacks), Davao de Oro PHP4.25 million (3,400 sacks), and Davao Oriental PHP7 million (5,600 sacks).
Senator Gatchalian highlighted the devastating impact of the calamities on these regions and assured that this batch of assistance is only the beginning. "We saw the extent of damage caused by the calamity. This is just the first batch of the assistance and we will provide them more if they still needed assistance," he stated, emphasizing the importance of disaster mitigation efforts and the need for local government units to have adequate funds for infrastructure improvements, disaster preparedness, and risk management programs.
Expressing gratitude for the timely assistance, Banaybanay Mayor Lemuel Ian Larcia noted the significant impact of the floods on his town in Davao Oriental. "Of the 14 barangays in our town, almost all were heavily affected by flooding which occurred last month. Around 10,333 families were affected," he said, adding that the town, known as the rice granary of the province, saw nearly 42,000 hectares of agricultural land damaged, directly affecting farmers and laborers.
Mayor Larcia's comments underscore the critical need for the aid and the ongoing efforts to address the needs of the affected communities.