The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) released a total of P6 million calamity grant to earthquake-stricken areas in Mindanao.
The town of Makilala in North Cotabato and the province of Davao del Sur each received a P3 million grant.
DBP president Emmanuel Herbosa said he is glad that the state-owned development bank was able to extend its help to the most affected communities.
During the turnover ceremony at the Mindanao Development Authority Office last Wednesday, Herbosa said that help must be extended for the victims to get back on their feet.
Makilala was hit by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake last Oct. 31, affecting around 30,000 families or 150,000 individuals, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
A month later, Davao del Sur was struck by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, affecting 86,180 families or 392,700 individuals, per the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) report.
Officials from Makilala and Davao del Sur expressed their gratitude as the calamity grant can help them in rehabilitating their constituents. The turnover ceremony was attended by MinDa chair Emmanuel Piñol and DBP directors Maria Lourdes Arcenas and Rogelio Garcia.
“There are 9,000 totally damaged homes in Davao del Sur, partially damaged is 30,000. Many of them are no longer staying in their places where their houses used to be. This money, together with other funds that we have collected and gathered, which are now in the hands of our provincial treasurer, will be used to buy lands to resettle those who are now situated in our evacuation centers,” said Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas.
The Davao del Sur government has already identified five relocation sites and they have already obtained the permission from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) XI to use the properties.
He said the government will also help rebuild the homes of those who can’t avail the National Housing Authority (NHA) housing programs.
On the other hand, Makilala Mayor Armando Quibod representative Manuel Lalaguna said there are around 15,000 households living in 27 high-risk barangays and they have to be moved to a safer location.
Lalaguna said the Makilala government is planning on using the money as payment for the 62-hectare land needed for the relocation of the people in high-risk areas, along with the rehabilitation of the municipality.
