Mayor appeals to business sector to help in post-typhoon clean-up

Mayor Benjamin Magalong has appealed to the local business community to extend assistance in the ongoing clean-up operations following the onslaught of typhoon “Uwan” stressing that the city government cannot accomplish the task alone.

Magalong said the massive volume of debris and silt left behind by the typhoon has overwhelmed the city’s manpower and resources, making public-private cooperation vital to restoring normalcy.

“We can’t do this on our own. The city government’s resources are limited, and we need the help of our local businessmen to speed up the recovery of our city,” the mayor said.

“We’ve always relied on the spirit of bayanihan in times of crisis, and now is one of those moments.”

He encouraged business owners to mobilize their personnel, equipment, and logistics support to assist in clearing operations particularly in and around their places of business, public areas and waterways.

The mayor lauded establishments that have already voluntarily started their clean-up activities as well as those that extended help in the typhoon response operations.

He said such efforts exemplify corporate social responsibility and solidarity with the city government during calamities.

“The faster we clear our streets and drainage systems, the quicker our communities can recover. Every helping hand counts,” he added.

Typhoon Uwan unleashed strong winds and rains in the city resulting in fallen trees, posts, blocked roads and scattering of debris across various districts.

City government offices under the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council which the mayor heads had been in the thick of the clearing operations since the storm’s exit but reinforcements from civic groups and private entities are needed to speed up the efforts.

Magalong expressed confidence that with collective effort, the city can restore order swiftly and emerge stronger and more resilient from the disaster. – Aileen P. Refuerzo