The provincial and city governments of Iloilo are ready to extend assistance to quake-hit areas in Mindanao.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, in an interview, said Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. is always ready to help.
“I am very sure that they will declare a state of calamity in their area. That will already prompt us that we can mobilize our PDRR (provincial disaster risk reduction) funds to help them, just like when we provided support to Cebu, which I personally brought to Governor Pamela Baricuatro,” Banias said.
He added that the province will assess its capability to send responders, as the calamity entails assistance for collapsed structures.
The province, somewhat, is not yet ready to send equipment, he said.
“In fact, we are holding a capability building and in the process of procuring some equipment for collapsed structure,” Banias said.
The municipality of Pavia, however, has equipment for collapsed structures, and they can discuss with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office should there be a need to send a team to Mindanao, he added.
“We are saddened by what happened in Mindanao, especially in General Santos and Sarangani. We are praying that there would be lesser casualties,” Banias added.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has been directed to coordinate with their counterpart in General Santos City to determine the extent of the damage and identify the needs of the affected communities.
“We will wait for their official assessment report to ensure that the assistance we provide is responsive to their most urgent needs,” the mayor said in a statement on Monday afternoon.PNA
