The financial aid was given in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive instructing the NHA to provide assistance to families whose houses were either damaged or destroyed by Odette, the strongest storm to hit the Philippines in 2021.
Among the three local government units, Lapu-Lapu City received on December 29, 2021, the biggest chunk of the aid–P25 million.
The aid will help in rebuilding the houses of around 5,000 families in Lapu-Lapu City.
The aid was received by Mayor Junard Chan from NHA 7 officials a day after the Lapu-Lapu City Council held a special session, during which it increased the calamity fund for Odette victims to P302 million from P236 million.
Chan has yet to sign the release of the calamity because he wants the City Social Welfare and Development Office to distribute the aid. But the City Council, dominated by councilors of his political rival, city lone district Rep. Paz Radaza, wants the barangays to distribute the aid.
Mandaue City got P17.5 million, while Cebu City received P10 million. Both grants were received by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
The financial aid was given under the NHA 7’s Special Emergency Housing Assistance Program.
Typhoon Odette devastated parts of Metro Cebu and southern portions of Cebu Province on the evening of Thursday, December 16, 2021. (KAL)
