Maasin City employees donate to “Sendong” victims

By BONG PEDALINO, PIA Southern Leyte
December 25, 2011

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  Rank and file employees of the city government here dipped into their pockets to chip in for hard cash that can be extended to our ill-fated Filipino brothers and sisters in Cagayan De Oro City and Iligan City, in the wake of tropical storm “Sendong” that badly hit these places last weekend.

The voluntary contribution was in line with the message aired by City Mayor Maloney Samaco during a Christmas party at the Mayor’s Office, Zaldy Olita reported during the morning newscast DYDM Balita this morning.

Aside from the heartfelt giving of money per individual employee, Olita also quoted Samaco as saying he will convene the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) to pass a resolution for the setting aside of funds to help the basic needs of Sendong survivors.

Many believed the survivors and the victims themselves were from Southern Leyte and Maasin City, or have roots from this city and province, hence the desire to extend a helping hand has become more meaningful and urgent, coming as it is at Christmas time.

In December, 2003, Southern Leyte experienced the pain now being felt by Cagayanons and Iliganons as three towns in Panaon caved in, the mudslide killing scores of people at dawn.

Also in 2006, the Guinsaugon landslide happened, and it can be recalled that the cities of Cagayan De Oro and Iligan were one of the first places to send in their rescue teams and relief assistance.