Albay delivers P0.5M calamity aid

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 8, 2008) – Two board members from the province of Albay delivered on Monday (July 7) a P500,000 donation as calamity relief assistance to Sarangani province.

Governor Migs Dominguez received the cheque from Albay Board Members Harold Imperial and Carlwyn Baldo during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) 23rd regular session presided over by Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon.

Imperial said the assistance came in as manifestation of the spirit of sisterhood forged in 2005 between the two provinces.

"It is in this spirit of sisterhood and the goodwill of the people of Albay headed by Governor Joey Salceda that we offer our humble share for the benefit of Sarangani," Imperial said.

Imperial hoped the relief assistance "will somehow uplift the plight of the people of Sarangani" and will continue to promote lasting relationship between the two provinces.

The P.5-million donation to Sarangani is the biggest slice from the P1.3 million calamity aid Albay earmarked for the provinces of Sarangani, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and Capiz that suffered from the massive destruction of typhoon Frank.

In 2006, Governor Dominguez certified urgent his request to the SP to appropriate P100,000 as Sarangani's donation to Albay province for evacuees fleeing Mayon volcano's danger zone. The SP quickly adopted on joint sponsorship the appropriation of P100,000 for the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of Albay, chargeable to Sarangani's calamity fund.

"In the past three years, the province has always been one of the first to respond to many calamities" even outside Sarangani, Dominguez said.

The governor also thanked many nameless heroes who volunteered and came in to extend assistance and support during the recent calamity.

He told Albay representatives of the provincial government's plan to purchase a relocation site in Alabel town to be called Albay Village.

Albay Village would be the permanent manifestation of the support of the sisterhood and the assistance that Albay granted to Sarangani.

"As agreed, the local government unit of Alabel will buy 4.93 hectares worth P450,000 per hectare (as resettlement area for calamity victims)," according to Hermelo Latoja, provincial disaster action officer.

Latoja said the province "will take charge of site development worth P3 million, progressive type." "The P500,000 of Albay will form part of site development. The first one hectare out of 4.9 hectares will be called Albay Village in recognition of the assistance," Latoja added. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)