Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia led the MOA signing together with Provincial Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Director Rose Mae Quinanola, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office Cebu Director Jose Cleo Cary Colis and the representatives of partner-merchants on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol in Cebu City.
Garcia previously announced that instead of giving financial assistance, the province will distribute digital cards with a fixed amount of P5,000 that beneficiaries can redeem to purchase materials and other basic necessities.
According to Garcia, over 90,000 beneficiaries from the different local government units in the province have been identified.
Garcia clarified that these are beneficiaries whose houses have been destroyed by the typhoon since the inclusion of damaged will overwhelm the budget of the Province.
“Our intention is to help those who really lost their houses so that they can slowly rebuild their homes and rebuild their lives,” Garcia said.
The governor said by following this process, the purchase of unnecessary products like alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and cosmetics will be avoided.
Meanwhile, one supplier of galvanized iron sheets was lambasted by Garcia after refusing to release supplies to the Provincial Government.
Garcia said the supplier required the province to pay first which is contrary to what they had agreed on during their initial meeting.
The governor further stated that she has already asked the DTI to do something about the matter.