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| SENATOR Win Gatchalian is welcomed to Laoag City by several Ilocos Norte mayors led by Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas. (Doms dela Cruz) |
By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
Laoag City—Better late than never.
Senator Sherwin “Win” T. Gatchalian was in the province recently to personally extend assistance to victims of supertyphoon “Lawin” (Haima).
Giving out a total of ₱2.2 million, Mr. Gatchalian gave P800,000 to Laoag City, with the remainder distributed to Paoay, Pagudpud, Solsona and Badoc.
The financial aids were given based on damages of the areas.
Mr. Gatchalian pointed out that based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report, the four municipalities and Laoag were the worst damaged from the supertyphoon.
He added that since Laoag is a sister city of Valenzuela, they also extended financial assistance to the city.
Mr. Gatchalian is from Valenzuela City and a former mayor there.
He added that the amount came from the financial assistance budget of Valenzuela. The said budget was approved by the said city’s officials.
As for the redistribution of the financial aids, Mr. Gatchalian said it depends on the chief executive concerned. He noted that it the mayors who know which areas need the assistance most.
Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas welcomed Mr. Gatchalian. She was accompanied by Paoay mayor Jessie Galano and Pagudpud mayor Marlon Sales. Solsona and Badoc sent representatives.
Mr. Gatchalian assured that he will be Ilocos Norte’s ally in the Senate. He added that he will support measures for the betterment of the province and Laoag City.
The Ilocos Times learned that Mr. Gatchalian and his group came from Cagayan province prior to their visit to Laoag City.
The senator also personally handed over financial assistance to select LGUs in Cagayan.