DEC.

12, 2012

NR # 2951

House to give P1.4 million to typhoon Pablo victims

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. today appealed to the people to help the victims of typhoon Pablo, saying anything valuable could mean a lot for those in the devastated areas. The situation needs an immediate response. Small things drawn together would mean so much for the needy, thus we decided to launch the campaign for individual efforts to help devastated areas, Belmonte said. This developed as the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 2938 allotting P1.4 million for the victims of typhoon Pablo. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 464 dead, 465 injured and 702 missing in the Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Under the measure, each of the 285 members of the House of Representatives will be donating P5,000 from their monthly salary to victims. Belmonte, principal author of the measure, said the calamity left a trail of incalculable damage to homes, properties, infrastructure and agriculture and a lot of lives were lost due to typhoon Pablo. Despite efforts of local government units to mitigate the potential damage, rescue and relief operations have been unable to address the immediate needs of our affected countrymen, Belmonte said. Recognizing their need for aid and relief during this difficult time, the House of Representatives hereby extends financial assistance to the victims of this calamity, Belmonte added. House members who also signed the resolution were Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia, Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, and Representatives Thelma Almario (Davao Oriental), Tomas Apacible (Batangas), Sergio Apostol (Leyte), Jose Aquino II (Agusan del Norte), Roilo Golez (Paraaque City), Dakila Carlo Cua (Quirino), Edcel Lagman (Albay), Hermilando Mandanas (Batangas), Lani MercadoRevilla (Cavite), Florencio Noel (An Waray Party-list), and Karlo Nograles (Davao City). (30) jsc