BAGUIO CITY – Paracelis, Mountain Province Mayor Marcos Ayangwa is asking for immediate help for the recovery of the town, which declared a state of calamity after the series of weather disturbances that hit Luzon in recent weeks.
He said the municipality’s calamity fund is insufficient due to the devastation.
“We are exploring all possibilities from the (national government) agencies on how they can help, that is why I am also visiting offices while I am here,” he said in an interview Friday (Nov. 22, 2024) on the sidelines of the 4Ps 2024 Pagpupugay awards of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in this city.
Ayangwa said Paracelis has a PHP15 million calamity fund, of which PHP5 million is the quick response fund
“Upon our declaration of a state of calamity, we started to help residents with minor repair of their houses damaged by (Severe Tropical Storm) Kristine (international name Trami),” he said.
Ayangwa said they also utilized the fund for relief and clearing operations and the continued operation of their emergency operations center.
Citing reports from the municipality’s Office of Fishes and Agriculture Service (OFAS), Ayangwa said estimated damage to agriculture was around PHP190 million, 80-90 percent of which on bananas and corn.
Damage to infrastructure is estimated to have reached PHP3000 million, due to destroyed dikes caused by swelling of the rivers, canals, and irrigation facilities.
“We are asking for help for the immediate repair of the dikes and the replenishment of major agricultural commodities,” the municipal chief added.
Ayangwa said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has responded to his call, noting that the payout of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Ayuda para sa Kapos Ang kita Program (AKAP) started Thursday.
“Aside from the payout, they responded through the delivery of relief goods, which we are distributing to the people,” he added. **Liza Agoot
