Negros Occidental, Bacolod get P309.8M for rehab after ‘Odette’ devastation

Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol | PHOTO: Provincial Government of Negros Occidental facebook page

BACOLOD CITY––The Negros Occidental provincial government and Bacolod City are receiving P309.8 million in rehabilitation funds after the devastation caused by Typhoon “Odette.”

The Bureau of the Treasury has allocated P41,153,745 for the Negros Occidental provincial government while the National Housing Authority (NHA) turned over P90 million for the rehabilitation of houses destroyed by the typhoon.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson thanked President Duterte and the NHA for the timely response to the dire need of Negrenses to restore their homes.

“For many of the displaced Negrense families, the trauma and suffering are unbearable. It is extremely taxing for families to try rebuilding their homes while starving and thirsty,” he said.

Almost two weeks after Odette brought devastation, the need to rebuild 190,868 damaged houses and 65,871 destroyed shelters is urgent, he said.

“In a year of unprecedented threats to humanity, we are grateful to everyone who extended assistance and help,” Lacson said.

A lot of Negrenses still need power and food, aside from shelter.

“Across the country and the province, we have seen the spirit of giving, cooperation, and accord. It is in these difficult times that we are reminded that we are bound together and that we have to look out for each other,” the governor said.

He called on all local chief executives of typhoon-hit areas to continue to enhance coordination and ensure the systematic distribution of assistance.

On the Bureau of the Treasury assistance, Lacson said the province would wait for the proper guidelines on its use.

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READ: Cebu to set aside more than P1B to aid towns, cities affected by ‘Odette’