House to raise at least P1.5M for quake victims in Batanes

QUAKE DAMAGE An aerial shot of Itbayat town center in Batanes province shows open spaces where residents have set up tents and makeshift shelters after the island province was rocked by successive earthquakes last week. —MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is expected to raise at least P1.5 million for residents affected by the earthquakes and aftershocks that rattled Itbayat, Batanes last Saturday.

There are 300 congressmen and a minimum contribution of P5,000 per lawmaker is urged by the leadership, Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said Tuesday.

“The contribution may even reach P3 million up to P5 million as some congressmen have indicated willingness to donate P50,000 to P100,000 from their salary,” Romualdez added in a statement. 

A magnitude 5.4 quake jolted Itbayat at 4:16 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a stronger magnitude 5.9 quake at 7:37 a.m. The quake left nine people killed and 60 others injured. It also caused some P47 million in damage.

READ: 9 dead, 60 injured in Batanes quakes | Batanes quake damage estimated at P47 million

During Monday night’s plenary session, Deputy Majority Leader and Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia said that a “signature sheet” would be circulated so House members could indicate the amount of their voluntary contribution to be deducted from their salary.

“I just spoke with the Speaker (Alan Peter Cayetano) about the Batanes fund drive. It (contribution) has been the practice whenever a district is hard-hit by a calamity, in this case, Batanes… This has been initiated for the benefit of the casualties’ loved ones and injured residents of Batanes,” said Romualdez.

The plenary also adopted House Resolution No. 139 expressing the “profound sympathies” and “deepest condolences” of the House to those affected by the twin earthquakes and aftershocks. 

In the resolution, congressmen also called on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and other relevant organizations to expedite humanitarian assistance and restore normalcy in the affected areas.

READ: NDRRMC, other gov’t agencies urged to hasten assistance to quake-hit areas in Batanes

Romualdez also requested the Legislative Security Bureau to allocate a portion of South and North Wing Lobbies of Batasan Complex for collection and storage area of donated goods from congressmen and House employees.

The donated goods, he said, would be turned over to Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato, Jr. for distribution to appropriate agencies which are tasked to bring them to the northernmost province.

The lawmaker also said the public may send their donation through Gato’s Chief of Staff, Atty. Rachel Derigay, who may be contacted through mobile number 09985548060.

Gato has identified urgently needed items in Batanes which include: hygiene kits (sanitary napkins, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, hand towels, etc.); wet wipes; mosquito repellants; reusable eating utensils; generating sets for water pumping stations; and portable toilets. /je

READ: Batanes quake survivors still in need of food, water, relief items