AN OFFICIAL of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged mayors in Cebu to already start the distribution of financial assistance from the National Government for those severely affected by Typhoon Odette (Rai).DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya made the call in a dialogue with Cebu mayors on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Malaya was responding to queries regarding the insufficiency of funds received by local government units (LGUs) versus the total number of families severely affected by Typhoon Odette.The mayors expressed apprehension on distributing the cash aid without enough funds to cover all affected families.The mayors said rushing the distribution will only lead to complaints and discontent from their constituents.In response, Malaya said the mayors have complete discretion to identify beneficiaries corresponding to the funds allocated to them by the National Government.He also reminded the mayors that DILG Secretary Eduardo Año had already issued a memorandum on the possible issuance of show cause orders to LGUs for any undue delays in the distribution of cash assistance for typhoon victims.Together with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista and DSWD Assistant Secretary Glenda Relova, Malaya visited the towns of Argao and Balamban in Cebu Province to lead and check on the status of the aid distribution.As of Feb. 2, only two LGUs, namely the municipalities of Liloan and Cordova, have completed the distribution of cash assistance while the towns of Argao, Asturias, Balamban, Moalboal and Samboan have just started to distribute the aid.The Cebu City Government has so far released a total of P90,370,000 to typhoon victims as of February 2022 from the National Government.Cebu City also announced it was set to distribute another set of cash aid to 18,074 individuals living in 13 barangays that were affected by Typhoon Odette.Mandaue distributionIn Mandaue City, officials began the distribution of financial assistance for Typhoon Odette victims last February.The Mandaue City Government is also set to pass a supplemental budget amounting to P165 million for Odette-stricken indigent families whose houses were partially damaged during the typhoon.Mandaue City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan noted that only about P52 million was given by the National Government, which would cover around 12,000 severely affected families or those whose houses were completely destroyed by the typhoon.He said about P35 million was downloaded from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and around P17.5 million from the National Housing Authority (NHA).Calipayan said Mayor Jonas Cortes requested for the supplemental budget to also help partially or slightly affected families or those whose houses were partially damaged.He noted that over 48,000 families in Mandaue whose houses were damaged were not qualified to receive the assistance from the National Government since the latter only gives assistance to those identified as totally or severely affected.Calipayan said the proposed supplemental budget will be taken from the City’s excess tax collection of P300 million last year.Subject to certain qualifications such as having a family income of 18,000 or below, the city administrator said the cash assistance will amount to P3,000 each, which is lower compared to the P5,000 assistance from the National Government.He stressed that only indigent families will receive the cash assistance based on DSWD guidelines.While some have already repaired their houses, the affected families would still be given assistance provided they can present proof such as photos or videos of their houses damaged during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.He said the proof will not be limited only to photos or videos but may include neighbors who could attest that the house was damaged.Mandaue City Treasurer Regal Oliva said the distribution of the cash aid for those partially or slightly affected families will possible start in three weeks or after the budget is approved by the City Council.Oliva reminded beneficiaries to present an ID, citing individuals in previous distributions who claimed for assistance even though they were not included in the list of beneficiaries.Meanwhile, Calipayan said more than 500 families were also given the P5,000 assistance from the National Government after they petitioned for inclusion and were verified by their respective barangays and the city’s social workers.From March 7 to 9, the City Government will do another house-to-house distribution of aid for the third batch of severely affected families in 12 barangays.These include Barangays Banilad, Guizo, Basak, Ibabao-Estancia, Cabancalan, Labogon, Casili, Mantuyong, Casuntingan, Subangdaku, Centro and Tabok.