P7.8 M donation given to Bontoc fire victims

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Bontoc local government initially disbursed P7,812,000 from collected cash donations to fire victims May 10 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
    During the distribution of cash donations, municipal officials said they targeted to disburse P8.3 million for the first release.
    However, a number of the victims have yet to comply with documentary requirements.
    It was explained recipients will receive varying amounts because of the different assessed value of damages, based on guidelines approved by the Sangguniang Bayan of Bontoc.
    Per the record from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, beneficiaries covered under the first release included 27 owners of totally damaged houses/buildings, 13 owners of partially damaged buildings, 29 owners of affected businesses, 12 owners of vehicles engulfed by the fire, 14 family tenants, 15 individual tenants, and 48 stay-in workers.
    Owners of totally damaged structures received P180, 000 while the owners of partially damaged buildings received varying amounts based on assessed value of damages.
    Business owners received P50,000 each; P30,000 for the four-wheel and three-wheel type vehicles and P15,000 each for motorcycles.
    For tenants, P30, 000 was given per family and P8, 000 for individual tenants.
    Stay-in workers received P5, 000 each.
    Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong expressed gratitude to donors and those who helped victims saying the spirit of Og-ogfo or Binnadang helped fire victims get back on their feet.
    He assured transparency in all the donations that Bontoc LGU continues to receive for the fire victims.
    As of May 11, 2023, a total of P11.11 million has been collected in donations including the first disbursed amount.
    Meanwhile, the Bontoc LGU is still accepting cash donations which will soon be distributed to the fire victims along with the remaining funds.