Mandaue City to shell out P1 million to help GenSan quake victims

Local

MANDAUE City has approved P1 million in financial assistance for the quake-hit General Santos City.

Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano confirmed that Mandaue’s funding has been finalized after the City Council approved a measure during its regular session on the day of the quake, granting him authority to extend financial and logistical support to the affected local government unit.

“Pag Monday palang gihatagan nako nila og authority, so ang atong ihatag sa atong mga kaigsuonan sa GenSan is P1 million as financial assistance sa nahitabong linog,” Ouano said.

Ouano said the assistance reflects Mandaue’s close ties with General Santos City, recalling past interactions including visits by Congressman Bobby Pacquiao and GenSan City Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao, as well as the warm reception given to Mandaue’s delegation during the Batang Pinoy Games hosted in GenSan last year.

“Gi entertain pod intawn nila og maayo, maong close to our hearts,” Ouano said, adding that the relationship between both local governments had been built on mutual support.

He also noted that the assistance is a form of reciprocal support, saying the beneficiaries had previously extended help to Mandaue without expecting anything in return.

“So kita, angay sad gyud nga mubaws sad sa kaya lang sad sa syudad nga financial assistance,” Ouano said.

The mayor added that the financial aid is expected to be processed and released within the next two weeks, with either himself or a designated city official set to personally deliver the assistance if his schedule does not permit.

In a parallel move, the Cebu Provincial Government is preparing P10 million in assistance for General Santos with Cebu Gov. Baricuatro planning to personally deliver the aid once safety conditions and travel routes are cleared.

Baricuatro said the initiative is both a disaster response and a gesture of gratitude, recalling previous assistance extended by General Santos City during Cebu’s own earthquake response.

“GenSan gave us P8 million when the earthquake happened here in Cebu, and the mayor personally delivered it,” she said.

She also expressed her intention to hand over the aid personally, stating, “I want to give it myself.”(MyTVCebu)