Adopt a typhoon-hit city pushed

The Cebu City government will not have to necessarily spend money if they push through with Mayor Michael Rama’s plan to adopt a typhoon-affected locality in Leyte and Samar provinces.

Rama said the city government could extend its expertise in traffic management for example to its adopted locality and tap the help of its private sector partners to help rebuild infrastructures like shelters.

“It will not just be the city. It will be more of a multi-sectoral group who will help to address certain areas,” he said.

Margot O support

Councilors Margot Osmeña and Alvin Dizon have expressed support to Rama’s adoption plans. But first, they wanted the executive and legislative departments to sit down and “define the criteria” to be used in the selection of an LGU to adopt.

“It’s (adopt-a-typhoon- affected LGU) a welcome proposal.  I will certainly support this. This is the best time to help each other and Cebu City is in a position to extend help where it is most needed,” said Dizon.

Osmeña, the council’s majority floor leader and budget committee chairperson, said that she would prefer that the city government focus in helping their adopted LGU in terms of rebuilding schoolbuildings.

The city government could tap its disaster funds for the purpose, she said.

Osmeña said that the city government could follow the example of Muntinlupa City which is adopting Tanauan town in Leyte.

Rama, who will be leaving for Macau today (Saturday) to watch the Manny Pacquiao fight on Sunday, said he will further discuss his adoption proposal with the council when he returns next week.

He said that the adoption that he has in mind is more of “borrowing of intelligence” and tapping the private sector’s help on infrastructure concerns.

“If you do not help, nobody will be helping them so where will they go?”