Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has formally requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to authorize the release of P10 million in provincial funds to support relief and recovery efforts in General Santos City following a powerful earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco, who presides over the provincial board.
Baricuatro asked the legislative body to pass a resolution allowing the Cebu Provincial Government to extend financial assistance to the local government of General Santos City.
She cited the impact of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake and the urgent need to assist affected communities in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
If approved, the proposed P10-million aid will be used for relief operations and recovery programs, including support for residents whose homes and livelihoods were affected.
The governor underscored Cebu’s longstanding tradition of solidarity with other local government units during times of crisis.
“The Province of Cebu has consistently upheld the spirit of solidarity and mutual aid among local government units, especially during disasters and crises (Ang Probinsya sa Sugbo kanunay nga nagbarog sa espiritu sa panaghiusa ug tabangay sa mga lokal nga gobyerno ilabi na sa panahon sa katalagman ug krisis),” Baricuatro said in her letter.
She urged the provincial board to act swiftly on the request to ensure that assistance can be delivered without delay to affected communities.
The appeal came hours after Baricuatro publicly expressed solidarity with residents of General Santos City, Sarangani, and nearby areas reeling from the quake.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Soco led a message of solidarity before the start of the Provincial Board session, extending sympathy to affected families.
“On behalf of the Province of Cebu and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, we extend our deepest sympathy and solidarity to every family facing fear, loss, and uncertainty in the wake of this tragedy (Sa ngalan sa Probinsya sa Sugbo ug sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan, among ipadayag ang among kinasingkasing nga pakighiusa ug simpatiya sa tanang pamilya nga nag-atubang sa kahadlok, pagkawala, ug kawalay kasiguruhan tungod niini nga trahedya),” Soco said.
He also assured continued prayers and support for responders and local officials leading emergency operations on the ground.
“In moments like these, we are reminded that beyond geographical boundaries, we are one people and one nation (Sa mga higayon nga sama niini, mapahinumdoman kita nga labaw sa mga utlanan, usa kita ka katawhan ug usa ka nasod),” he added.
Photo courtesy of Glenn Soco / Facebook
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