Talisay Donates Rice, Canned Goods to Medellin

The Talisay City government yesterday sent a busload of rice, canned goods and noodles to typhoon-hit Medellin, in northern Cebu.

“We could not forget how Mayor Ramirez helped Talisay when MV St Thomas sank in Lauis Ledge,” said Hayette delos Reyes of the Talisay City administrator’s office. Delos Reyes was referring to the patrol boat sent by Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez to Talisay when MV St Thomas Aquinas sank in the city’s Lauis Ledge to help in the rescue and retrieval operations. The boat and its men stayed there for three days or until authorities had stopped the operations.

For his part, Ramirez said he was thankful for the city’s donation as they were only left with five sacks of rice and the Provincial Capitol has not sent its help yet. “Talisay was the first LGU to help us. Kung wa ni ilang dala ron, magutman gyud mi,” Ramirez said. The mayor said 80-90 percent of their town was damaged severely by super typhoon “Yolanda” which made a landfall in northern Cebu Friday morning, leaving several thousands of the mayor’s constituents homeless.

Public buildings and schools were also not spared. Ramirez said they only have P4 million left of their calamity fund, which is not enough to rebuild his town. “Motabang mi sa ubang LGU kung naay kalamidad, dili nami mistil ingnun. Maayo pud unta dili mi nila kalimtan ron nga kami napud nanginahanglan og panabang,” said Ramirez.