BFAR-7 to put up marine mammal rescue center in Cebu
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, Aug 29 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-7 is planning to establish a marine mammal rescue center (MMRC) in Cebu by early next year.
Assistant Regional Director Allan Poquita told members of the Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance Region (Clear)-7, during its regular meeting, on the importance of putting up the MMRC to assist in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of stranded marine mammals.
“We have competent people who are well-trained on marine mammal rescue. In case there are stranded mammals that need rescuing, our people at the MMRC are capable of responding and assisting the stranded mammals back to the deep sea,” said Poquita.
Poquita cited a whale stranding incident in Toledo City in southwestern Cebu where ordinary fishermen were incapable of assisting the "butanding" (whale) back to deep sea.
“If there is already an MMRC, then it would be very easy for the public where to call for assistance in bringing stranded mammals back to sea or in case, rehabilitation is needed,” he added.
The official also updated Clear-7 members that their agency has formed a quick response team that could assist the group in any emergency cases.
“The QRT that was created in Manila was even used during the flooding incident. The same could be done here. The team under our office could be an asset of Clear-7 that could be tapped in any emergency situation,” said Poquita.
Fifteen members of Clear-7 attended the regular meeting, of which one of the main agenda was to provide inputs for the compilation of the 10-year accomplishment of the group. (PIA 7, Cebu)
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Region 7 collects over P80,000 cash, relief goods for flood-stricken victims in Luzon‘Toledo City LGU to donate P1M cash aid’
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY Aug 29 (PIA) -- Thousands of relief goods and over P80,000 in cash have been collected by the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 Task Force (TF) Tabang for Habagat victims in Luzon and more pledges are still incoming.
During the weekly meeting, members of the TF Tabang each gave a report on their efforts to gather donations, in cash and in kind, to help the thousands of flood victims now housed in different evacuation centers in Luzon.
The Cebu provincial government contributed two 20-footer container vans of relief items which were shipped out via Phil Span Asia Carrier (PSAC) to the province of Laguna, care of Gov. ER Ejercito. The PSAC, as one of the TF members, has committed to transport the relief goods to Luzon free of charge.
Via the PSAC, another four 20-footer container vans of relief items were shipped out by the Cebu provincial government to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) care of Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman.
The capitol also said the voucher for financial aid will be processed upon the approval of Gov. Gwen Garcia.
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the other hand, mobilized its member organizations to solicit donations, of which an initial P47,000 cash was collected and another P100,000 in pledges. This was apart from the several relief goods being donated by member firms.
Regional-based government agencies also pooled their resources to contribute what they have to the unfortunate victims in Luzon. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 7 collected a total of P3,100 in cash from its own employees while employees of the National Economic Authority (NEDA) -7 also gave P1,250. Relief goods were also donated by both agencies.
The Cebu Port Authority contributed P16,000 cash aid and other relief goods such as bottled water and used clothing.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7, a major frontliner in relief efforts during calamities, reported that the local government of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental gave P500,000 financial assistance deposited directly to the DSWD-CO account. This was aside from the P17,300 worth of donations the DSWD 7 collected for the same purpose.
The Toledo City Government in Cebu also pledged P1M financial assistance which would be coursed through TF. Any financial donations would be deposited in the DSWD-CO account mainly for the flood victims in Luzon.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has issued a directive to make all police stations region-wide a drop-off center for relief items donated by the public in their respective areas.
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) -7 on the other hand is tasked as the head of communication with the involvement of the private media to continually inform the public about the relief efforts of the task force.
PIA-7 reported that it has optimized the social media to spread the appeal for donations citing the use of Info Text Blast through SMS, Facebook, PIA website and news articles. NEDA 7 was also invited to a PIA kapihan to talk on the newly-formed TF while it initiated a press conference on Thursday, August 30 to report on the updated contributions made by the group.
The Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) also issued a memo to all departments for voluntary donations.
The RDC 7 sent letters to Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla and Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. enjoining RDCs VIII and VI to create similar Task Force Tabang for Habagat victims in Metro Manila and Luzon and to launch their own relief drive. (FCR/AYS-PIA7 Cebu)