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Bacolod City, PhilippinesSaturday, February 11, 2012
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Editorial

Goodness shines

Daily Star logo
Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.
NINFA R. LEONARDIA
Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ
Editor

GUILLERMO TEJIDA III
Desk Editor
PATRICK PANGILINAN
Busines Editor

NIDA A. BUENAFE

Sports Editor
RENE GENOVE
Bureau Chief, Dumaguete
MAJA P. DELY
Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA
Administrative Officer

The tragedy brought by the magnitude 6.9 Earthquake that hit Negros Oriental particularly Tayasan, Ayungon, Jimalalud, La Libertad and Guihulngan was the first of its kind to hit the province in recorded history.

The municipalities of Jimalalud, La Libertad and Guihulngan City were declared in a State of Calamity. It is heartbreaking to hear of the rising number of casualties, as well as to the extent of damage to agriculture and infrastructure that runs into millions of pesos.

Initial estimated damage to infrastructure totalled P637 million and P56 million damage to crops due to landslides that hit the first district, which is considered as the corn basket of Negros Oriental.

The Department of Agriculture reported the destruction of farm facilities worth P2.72 million in Region 6 and 17 irrigation systems destroyed in Region 7 that need immediate restoration because it is planting season.

A former finance secretary suggested and encourages the immediate conduct of a post disaster needs assessment together with the private sector, civil society organizations, and development partners to assess the extent of damage of the earthquake, as well as its economic and social impacts for possible local and international donor financing in determining opportunities for assistance.

We must encourage unaffected LGUs by the earthquake to pool their calamity funds from which severely affected LGUs can draw additional resources for relief and rehabilitation efforts.

We believe that this standby credit will also provide close to immediate liquidity if another area have a need in the event of another tragedy of this magnitude.

We call on all our local leaders and fellow Negrenses to work together at this time of great need. Let us continue to extend our assistance and kindness to the victims of this tragedy. The good in us will always shine in times like this.*

Email: visayandailystar@yahoo.com