Isko Moreno to Manila City Council, Manileños: Help ‘Odette’ victims

(FILE) Manila Mayor Isko Moreno meets supporters.

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Friday called for a special session of the Manila City Council to pass a resolution allotting a certain sum of money intended for relief operations in Cebu province and other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao that was badly hit by Typhoon Odette.

“I have already asked the presiding officer of the City Council, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, to immediately hold a special session and a resolution be passed allocating a certain sum of money for the typhoon victims in the Visayas and Mindanao,” Moreno said.

Moreno also appealed to Manileños to initiate a fund drive and contribute to the relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Odette.

The 47-year-old local executive suggested “Tulong ng Manilenyo sa mga Nasalanta ni Odette” as a fund-raising activity that can be initiated by local businessmen and volunteer groups supporting Moreno’s presidential bid.

“Thankful as we are that Metro Manila and Luzon were spared by Typhoon Odette, I now appeal to kind-hearted Manileños to share whatever they can for our Visayan and Mindanao brothers severely affected by the typhoon,” Moreno said.

Moreno’s campaign chief, Lito Banayo has already talked to Cebu 3rd District Congressman Pablo John Garcia and relayed to him the Manila mayor’s plan to go to Cebu City to personally lead the relief efforts courtesy of the City of Manila.

“I was told by Cong. PJ Garcia that they do not yet have a clear assessment of the damage from Odette since power and communication lines were down at the height of the typhoon. Hopefully, power will be restored and the Cebu airport becomes operational again by next week,” said Banayo.

The Visayan Electric Company, Inc. or Veco said in a statement on Facebook that “95 percent of our franchise area are interrupted due to strong winds. We have suspended our line restoration and survey works since the weather has worsened and it will be unsafe for everyone.”

Banayo said relief operations will continue until those affected by the typhoon are properly rehabilitated in their rebuilt homes.

“Relief operations is the easier part in every calamity. The more difficult part is the rehabilitation of those affected, especially poor people who lost their homes and livelihood,” he said.

/MUF