Municipalities to Contribute to Great Humanitarian Effort for Mindanao and put an End to Complacency

While actively joining the effort in extending much needed assistance to the victims of Typhoon Sendong and their families in Mindanao, Mayor Strike Revilla League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) National President, issues an urgent appeal to all LMP members to lead their municipalities in this “great humanitarian effort”. In what we have seen in Mindanao and in the Ondoy and Pepeng experience it is complacency that kills and devastates more lives not the disaster itself, said Mayor Strike.

“I am appealing to the League of Municipal Mayors of the Philippines to extend a helping hand to our fellow Filipinos in Cagayan de Oro and neighboring towns now in the midst of sufferings. Let us help ease their sufferings by extending whatever support we can. But we have to be swift in our response. Let us do our best to provide help when it is most needed, otherwise, our efforts will become futile,” he said further.

In the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) 49,441 families are now being served in evacuation centers. This is too much for the city governments of Cagayan De Oro, Iligan and other LGUs to provide for in the coming days and weeks. Many whose home was totally devastated may live in these evacuation centers for a longer period of time. “Let us provide them with basic necessities, maybe set aside a portion what we have for Christmas and send it to the families living in evacuation centers” Mayor Strike adds.

The total deaths caused by Typhoon Sendong have now reached 976, more than a thousand injured and still some are missing.

Mayor Strike Revilla appeals first to those municipalities in Mindanao barely affected by Typhoon Sendong. They could provide the first wave of relief because many items are very much needed. Municipalities in Luzon and Visayas may coordinate with relief agencies operating in the area including the DSWD and the Philippine Red Cross if they would be donating cash.

In line with the Presidents call to review response to disasters and in reducing the risks to life and property, Mayor Strike agrees that “There is no safe place if we are not informed and prepared”.

Let us pray for all the victims and their families and friends that they may have the strength to overcome. Let us also pray and extend assistance to the local government officials who are working very hard to put order amid chaos brought about by the typhoon.

He further articulated that climate change is too serious a threat for local governments to ignore. Making a strong point to stop pointing fingers and blaming each other. “If we blame each other we are exhausting ourselves with nothing to show. It would be better if we work together,” Mayor Strike concludes.” Vigie Benosa-Llorin, Media Advocacy Officer, Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc.