CONGRESS has raised at least P13 million to help the victims of the siege of Marawi City by terrorists pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, an official said Sunday.
Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said the money will be placed in a trust fund.
He made his statement even as Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial denied the reports quoting her as saying that 59 refugees in Marawi City had died due to various illnesses.
“Secretary Paulyn Ubial takes exception to the reported cases of sickness and deaths in the evacuation centers,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said as he read Ubial’s message over the state-run Radyo ng Bayan.
“Sir, the report that several people are getting sick is wrong. Cases are going down,” Abella said quoting Ubial.
“Of the 638 that sought consultation last week, only were 300 admitted and there were no deaths. If they know some refugees who are sick, have them checked up in the health centers.”
In Cotabato City, Health officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said they will add more sanitation facilities in the temporary shelters to prevent the spread of diseases and prevent people dying.
Kadil Sinolinding, ARMM regional health secretary, said there was a need to add more sanitation facilities like comfort rooms in the evacuation centers holding thousands of people displaced in Marawi City, where the military is fighting the Maute terrorists.
“Some of the fatalities have died due to water- borne diseases. A clean and sanitary environment will save children who are highly vulnerable,” Sinolinding said in a phone interview.
“Proper disposal of human waste and the availability of safe drinking water will spare children from diseases.”
Congress held its fund-raising drive from May 28 to May 31, when it adjourned sine die.
The P13-million fund be deposited in a trust fund until a Congress committee could come up with a formula for its equitable distribution.
Fariñas said 200 lawmakers had donated their personal money.
Among the donors were Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Isabela Gov. Bojie Dy, Isabela Vice Gov. Tonypet Albano, Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Singson and Laoag board member Ria Farinas.
Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu called out to the nation’s largest corporations to extend help in cash or in kind to support the relief efforts in Marawi City.
“The country’s biggest corporations can contribute hugely in extending assistance to the victims and the rebuilding efforts. Hopefully, the
Marawi City crisis could be over very soon,” he said.
Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said the fund-raising was a “very good gesture of the House of Representatives.” With PNA