Lingayen- – -“Amid every inevitable circumstances that will come let us remain united,” thus urged Liga ng mga Barangay President Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III before tornado vitims as he distributed financial assistance to them amounting to P920,000.00.
Attacks destroyed houses of the victims in Asingan and Bayambang last June 5 and 13, respectively.
The young Espino who sits in the provincial board representing the barangays was accompanied by Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. in the cash assistance distribution.
He said whatever natural calamity that will come, Pangasinenses must always adhere to the fact that the provincial government is ready to help and extend its support to those affected.
“The present administration is ready to help and serve Pangasinenses who need to be assisted,” he said.
The assistance will be used to help the victims reconstruct their damaged dwellings.
The provincial government through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) headed by Emilio Samson has facilitated the distribution of cash assistance under the Emergency Shelter Assistance Program on July 28.
Based on PSWDO record, there were 23 totally damaged houses in Brgy. Bantog in Asingan while three houses were partially damaged and two persons were injured in the tornado incident which took place on June 5.
Bayambang town, on the other hand, suffered more severe damage with 13 barangays directly hit by the tornado.
Families that suffered total or extreme damage on their houses received P10,000 each while P5,000 were awarded to those who suffered partial damages including those injured.
Vice Governor Calimlim expressed his support to all affected families as he urged them to be stronger in faith. “Everything is new life and new hope,” he said.
Meanwhile, Board Member Ranjit Shahani, who joined the distribution in Asingan town, commended the administration of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. for extending its helping hands to the affected families. “It only shows how much the provincial government cares for you,” he said.
For his part, Board Member Angel Baniqued, Jr., during the distribution rite in Bayambang, said that it is not the amount of cash assistance that counts but the fact that the government is ready to serve matters the most.
According to earlier reports, the tornado that took place in Sitio Aragaag in Bantog, Asingan uprooted trees and caused iron sheets to fly off houses.
The tornado also destroyed a funeral home where the roof was blown off and many caskets were blown away.
Before the awarding of cash assistance, the provincial government extended its rehabilitation assistance through the distribution of construction materials for the affected families specifically in Bayambang town.
The distribution of construction materials came after the local government of Bayambang submitted to the provincial government its post-disaster assessment report. (RBernardino)