The Manila City government will donate about PHP2.5 million worth of financial assistance to five municipalities that were devastated by the Taal Volcano’s eruption.

Members of the City Council passed Resolution No. Series of 2020 authorizing the release of PHP500,000 each for Talisay, Taal, Agoncillo, Lemery, Laurel towns.

The resolution read the “funds were sourced from the city’s local disaster risk reduction and management fund”.

“The City Council of Manila saw the urgency to extend financial assistance to the municipalities, particularly the top 5 most affected determined upon the recommendation of the National or Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,” it said.

On Thursday, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso thanked Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Majority Floor Leader Joel Chua, and the rest of the Council for granting his request to turn over financial assistance to these municipalities.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako dahil tayong mga Batang Maynila ay nagkakaisa para matulungan ang ating mga kapwa Pilipino na dumaranas ngayon ng matinding pagsubok dulot ng pagsabog ng Bulkang Taal (I feel thankful that we Batang Maynila are one in our desires to aid fellow Filipinos who are suffering due to Taal Volcano’s eruption),” Domagoso said.

In earlier reports, Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda led a 50-vehicle convoy of medical teams, social workers, rescue and search personnel to help in the evacuation of the affected residents.

A total of 22 bus companies from the Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association have also offered to help in the evacuation of residents and delivery of relief goods.

Vegetable traders and farmers from La Trinidad, Benguet sent about 3,000 kilos of their harvest to thousands of people in evacuation camps while Task Force Davao sent at least 5,000 food packs to the affected families. (PNA)