VP BINAY: GOV’T WILL HELP REBUILD HOMES IN ILIGAN

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay Thursday assured families affected by Typhoon Sendong in Iligan City that the national government, in partnership with the local government unit (LGU), will help them rebuild their houses.

“Nakakalungkot lalo na at magbabagong taon. Pero narito po ang pamahalaan, handang tumulong sa inyo,” the Vice President said.

“Sa mga nasalanta na wala sa danger zones, tutulong kami sa pagbibigay ng materyales sa pagpapagawa ng bahay. Sa mga nasa danger zones at mga Pag-ibig (Home Development Mutual Fund) members, pwede kayong mag-avail ng loans at insurance claims,” he added.

Non-Pag-ibig members, on the other hand, were assured of assistance from the National Housing Authority through socialized housing.

Binay also told the residents that President Benigno Aquino III ordered not to allow them to return to the danger zones to keep them safe.

“Ayon sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo, di na po kayo pababalikin sa mga danger zones. Pansamantala, nariyan ang bunk houses muna sila ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development),” the Vice President said.

Binay, however, reassured that he had already asked Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz to search for relocation sites for those who live along danger areas such as rivers, creeks and other waterways.

“Ang sabi po ni Mayor, kailangan nang makahanap ng 30 hektarya para sa relokasyon. Kaya naman we are revisiting the places and houses para lahat mabigyan agad ng bahay. We just have to distinguish Pag-ibig and non-Pag-ibig members,” he said.

“Nagbigay rin po ng konting tulong ang Philip Morris at gagamitin natin ‘yon for relief operations at para sa disinfectant sa mga bahay,” he added.

While in Iligan, Binay handed out 4,700 bags of canned goods, noodles and biscuits at the Iligan National High School, Marawi State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Luinab Elementary School, Hinaplanon Elementary School and Iligan City East Central School.

Earlier, Binay visited Cagayan de Oro City and Negros Oriental to check on the situation of the survivors, hand out relief goods and condole with families who lost their loved ones due to the typhoon.