THE local chief executives and members of the city councils in Quezon City and CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) acted with dispatch when they decided to place their respective turfs under the State of Calamity.
Just right in time for them to be able to make use of the available resources out of the Quick Response Fund to ensure unhampered provision of essential items hugely needed by the storm-hit populace.
Mayors Joy Belmonte (QC), Along Malapitan (Caloocan), Jeannie Sandoval (Malabon), John Rey Tiangco (Navotas) and Wes Gatchalian (Valenzuela) were in unison in thanking the members of their respective Sangguniang Panlungsod for acting swiftly when they passed resolutions for the purpose.
As a result, the mayors said the declaration empowers not only the city governments but also barangays to tap their QRF, a vital tool in ensuring the safety and security of their constituents.
With access to these emergency funds, barangays can respond more swiftly to urgent local needs, such as providing food and medical assistance, supporting evacuees, tapping additional resources for clean-up, and securing hazardous areas, Belmonte told Good Riddance.
Sandoval said full assistance to the residents affected by storms and ‘Habagat’ as well as their safety could now be assured especially amid the damaged navigational gate of Malabon-Navotas River.
Gatchalian said barangay officials in Valenzuela would now have the authority to respond swiftly to the urgent needs of their immediate constituents, especially those displaced or at risk.
“Placing the city under the state of calamity, would allow the city government to mobilize and respond faster to those affected by the heavy rains and flooding,” Malapitan said.
Tiangco said council measure has ensured the swift utilization of local disaster funds which the city government and barangays could not be used for the provision of emergency assistance and the acceleration of recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.
It also facilitates coordination with national agencies and humanitarian partners for the delivery of needed support, the top local officials said.
They then renewed their call for cooperation of their constituents to ensure safety and efficiency during emergency, disaster response, and rescue operations.
