By Perla Lena 

STATE OF CALAMITY. Scenes like this greeted the first responders of Iloilo City in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette on Friday (Dec. 17, 2021). The city government has allotted over PHP42 million as financial assistance to families affected by the typhoon. (Photo courtesy of Iloilo City Government Facebook)

ILOILO CITY – The city government here has allotted over PHP42 million as financial assistance to families affected by Typhoon Odette following the declaration of a state of calamity by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) in a special session on Tuesday.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), in its endorsement to the SP, said the typhoon affected 72,523 individuals, equivalent to 15.85 percent of the city’s population

Mayor Jerry Treñas said the figures came from village officials and confirmed and validated by the city social welfare and development office (CSWDO).

The owners of the 405 houses that were totally damaged will receive PHP10,000 each while PHP4,300 each will be given to owners of 8,738 partially destroyed houses.

“We will try as much possible to release this hopefully before the end of the year,” he said during the press conference that followed the special session.

No movement on prices of goods are allowed in the next 60 days due to the state of calamity.

“I am very grateful to everyone who helped us, especially to the performance of our CDRRMO and members of the media who made sure that everyone was aware of what was happening in Iloilo City,” he added.

The mayor urged Ilonggos to pray for those affected and never forget that there are many who cannot celebrate Christmas because they lost their houses and are struggling to live.

“I am very, very sad that this has happened during a time that everyone was supposed to be happy. I know, I have seen pictures. Unlike us, probably it will take three months to recover. There are some that would be taking several years before they can recover,” he added. (PNA)