Solon thanks Speaker, Tingog party-list for helping flood victims in Bukidnon

BUKIDNON Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores on Thursday expressed gratitude to Speaker Martin Romualdez and his wife, Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, for their swift action in helping flood victims in his legislative district.

“I would like to commend the Speaker, Congresswoman Yedda, and Congressman Jude Acidre for their assistance,” Flores said in a statement, referring to the Speaker’s P1 million donation - half of which was cash aid while the other half is for relief goods, sourced from the Speaker’s personal relief fund.

The Romualdez couple also facilitated a separate P10 million to be released next week from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS) for purposes of rehabilitating and rebuilding partially and totally damaged houses.

Flores said he intends to utilize the P500,000 the Speaker gave for the establishment of a community pantry to sell farm produce procured from the farmers.

He said he was inspired by the initiative of Rep. Fernando Cabredo, who represents the Third District of Albay, for the Mayon evacuees when the volcano started acting up.

Cabredo also received a similar assistance from Speaker Romualdez, Reps. Yedda and Acidre. Maricel V. Cruz

A FREAK explosion at a shopping mall in Calapan City Thursday morning left 15 people seriously injured, police said.

In a statement released, Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) police chief Brig. Gen. Joel Doria said four restaurant employees, one delivery boy, and 10 other unidentified victims were hurt in the blast which happened at around 10:20 a.m.

The explosion at the restaurant, which was located on the first floor of the Xentro Mall also damaged 12 vehicles parked nearby.

Calapan City administrator Raymund Ussam said in an interview with CNN Philippines they were monitor- ing the conditions of the victims who were sent to three different hospitals. No deaths have been reported so far.

Authorities were still investigating, but Ussam said initial findings indicate gas leak as the possible cause of the explosion.

“Initial findings showed an alleged gas leak in the area of the Korean restaurant.” Ussam said.

“An LPG pipe was seen in the area, it might be the cause.” he added

“The ceiling collapsed but the structure was not totally damaged.” Ussam said.

At least 15 people were injured in an explosion due to a suspected gas leak inside a restaurant in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday morning.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 4B

(Mimaropa) chief Brig. Gen. Joel Doria said the blast happened around 10:20 a.m. inside Mr. Won’s Samgyeopsal Korean Restaurant located at the Xentro Mall in Barangay Lumangbayan, Calapan City, injuring four staff members, one delivery man, and 10 other unidentified individuals. Twelve vehicles sustained varying degrees of damage from the blast.

In response, Doria said immediate action was taken by activating the Incident Command Post (ICP) in coor- dination with the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and the Calapan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Doria assured the public that they are working closely with the BFP to facilitate a thorough investigation of the incident.

“In light of this unfortunate event, PRO MIMAROPA would like to assure the public that utmost efforts are being made to ensure their safety and well-being. Our law enforcement personnel are working closely with the BFP to gather all necessary evidence and information to facilitate a thorough investigation,” said Doria in a statement. Vince Lopez