16 local governments in Soccsksargen get P520M for quake recovery

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Some 16 local government units in Soccsksargen or Region 12 have received a total of P520 million in national government assistance to help rebuild communities damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani province in June.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial turnover of the funds under the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) at Malacañang Palace last Nov. 5.

READ: Over 530 security personnel train for major earthquake response

Article continues after this advertisement

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 12, the beneficiary local governments include General Santos City, the Sarangani province and its eight municipalities of Glan, Malapatan, Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum, Malungon and Alabel. 

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

Also included are Koronadal City and six municipalities in South Cotabato — Tboli, Lake Sebu, Polomolok, Tupi, Santo Niño and Banga.

The assistance will fund the reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public buildings and facilities, as well as housing and resettlement projects.

Under the allocation, General Santos City, the Sarangani provincial government and Glan municipal government each received P100 million, while Malapatan was allocated P50 million.

Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum in Sarangani, along with Koronadal City, Tboli and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, each received P20 million.

Article continues after this advertisement

Malungon and Alabel in Sarangani, as well as Polomolok and Tupi in South Cotabato, were allocated P10 million each. Santo Niño and Banga received P5 million each.

The assistance comes from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF), which is managed by the OCD.

Article continues after this advertisement

The President had urged local governments to improve their capacity to document and report disaster damage to the OCD and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

He said timely and complete reports from local governments would help the national government assess the situation on the ground, determine the needs of affected communities and provide appropriate assistance. /jpv