As part of Manila’s relief operations for victims of super typhoon “Odette,” Manila city councilors managed to rally almost P1 million in cash assistance from city officials as of Monday, Dec. 20.
“We made an appeal sa lahat mga chairman and councilors kung ano ang pwede nilang ma-spare at maituong galing sa kanilang mga puso katulad nung nangyari sa Cagayan. Umabot almost ng P1 million ang (to all of the chairman and councilors asking for whatever they could spare similar to what happened in Cagayan . The donations reached almost P1 million in) cash assistance and we were also able to receive other donations such as clothing, sacks of rice, food packs, anything that they are willing to give," said Barangay 609 Chairman and city council member Leilani Marie Honrado Lacuna.

For their part, 37 Manila city councilors gave P10,000 each out of their own pockets last Saturday, Dec. 18, which adds up to P370,000 from the city council, said Lacuna, who is currently handling Manila’s relief efforts for victims of super typhoon Odette.
She added the P1 million raised so far is set to increase as other Manila officials and residents have pledged further support.
“Meron po barangay chairman pati po ang mga ilang constituents namin nagbigay din ng cash assistance. Meron rin na nag ple-pledge pa (There are barangay chairmen and even some constituents who donated cash. There are also more who continue to pledge further support),” said Lacuna.
Meanwhile, all cash, food, and clothing donations are set to be delivered to the typhoon struck regions in Visayas and Mindanao by Wednesday, Dec. 22.