Anchored on the City Government of Valenzuela’s compassionate program – the VC [Valenzuela City] Cares Plus, which does not only aim to look after the welfare of its constituents but also of its brothers and sisters in other municipalities and cities who are in need, Valenzuela City grants a PhP 6 Million financial assistance to the victims of Super Typhoon Rolly  in some cities and municipalities of the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Through Council Resolution No. 1871, Series of 2020, the 8^th City Council of Valenzuela during its 60^th Regular Session last November 09 authorized Mayor REX Gatchalian to release the amount from the General Fund, as follows:

1. Province of Albay – Total of PhP 2,200,000 cash

• Provincial Government of Albay – PhP 1,000,000 cash
• City Government of Tabaco - PhP 300,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Camalig – PhP 200,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Malinao - PhP 200,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Daraga - PhP 250,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Guinobatan - PhP 250,000 cash

2. Province of Camarines Sur – Total of PhP 2,500,000 cash

• Provincial Government of Camarines Sur – PhP 1,000,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Bato – PhP 200,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Buhi – PhP 250,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Bula - PhP 200,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Calabanga - PhP 200,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Libmanan - PhP 250,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Nabua – PhP 200,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Pili - PhP 200,000 cash

3. Province of Catanduanes – Total of PhP 1,300,000 cash

• Provincial Government of Catanduanes – PhP 1,000,000 cash
• Municipal Government of Virac – PhP 300,000 cash

 
Total of PhP 6,000,000 Million

The country’s weather bureau PAGASA raised typhoon Signal No. 5 in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes on November 1 because of Super Typhoon Rolly. Rolly, so far, is observed as this year’s strongest tropical cyclone, packed with a maximum sustained winds of 215 kph with 215 kph gusts near its center.

In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Rolly, the death rose to twenty – 14 from Albay and 6 from Catanduanes. Most deaths wherein Albay province where mud and rocks flowing down from the Mayon Volcano buried San Francisco village which is in the town of Guinobatan.

The provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes were declared under a “State of Calamity” on November 4.

More than a million people were affected in the provinces where most parts are still with no electricity and water supply, and families are still staying at evacuation centers while they try to rebuild their devastated homes.

Metro Manila was forecasted to be likewise hit by the eye of the typhoon but was luckily spared when Rolly loses its strength and changed its course.

“Although we have spent so much fund in the response to COVID-19 that almost depleted our resources, we are still fortunate enough to have some amounts to spare to assist our brothers and sisters who suffered ill luck from the recent super typhoon while the battle against this pandemic is still on going,” Mayor REX said in a statement.

During the past years, through the VC Cares Plus Program, Valenzuela City has been extending assistance to victims and casualties in areas hit by natural calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes.

Last January, the City Government of Valenzuela provided PhP 12 million financial assistance to the Taal Volcano eruption victims in Batangas. It has likewise extended its aid of PhP 22 million to the provinces of Cotabato and Davao del Sur after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake last October 2019.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, District 1 Councilor Rovin Feliciano, District 1 Congressman WES Gatchalian and Senator WIN Gatchalian will be handing out the financial assistance to Super Typhoon Rolly victims this weekend.