Rama, City Council ‘agree’ on adopting Leyte town

Cebu City councilors are set to visit areas in the typhoon-hit province of Leyte to finalize the city’s plans of adopting a local government unit in the area.

Yesterday, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama met with some city councilors to discuss his plan to adopt a municipality that was devastated by supertyphoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan).“I’m getting some clear pronouncement that they are not in disagreement in choosing Palo, Leyte as the municipality to be adopted,” Rama told reporters.

The meeting was attended by councilors Lea Japson, Richard Osmeña, Jun Gabuya, Gerry Carillo, Nestor Archival, Mary Ann Delos Santos, Hanz Abella, James Cuenco and Dave Tumulak, who also heads the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC).

Rama said they narrowed their choice to Palo after finding out that Tanauan was already adopted by Muntinlupa City and with Tacloban City already the focus of relief efforts by the national government and international humanitarian groups.

“This is not just the Cebu city Government, but this is the city adopting a town. The private sector and other institutions in the city should be involved,” Rama said.

Rama said the councilors will be visiting Palo within this week.

“We will go back to Leyte to gather more information about the municipality. Although we have the initial decision of choosing Palo, we will also visit other areas like Tolosa and Burauen,” Councilor Tumulak said.

He added that during their visit, they will also be delivering three truckloads of relief goods and tarpaulins worth P250,000 that can be used as temporary shelter for the typhoon survivors.

Adopting a municipality will involve the city offering whatever resources they could extend to the municipality. He said heavy equipment and personnel can be extended to help in reconstructing the municipality.