Balamban mayor urges banks, lenders to show compassion amid ‘Tino’ devastation

Local

BANKS and lenders are urged to show compassion and understanding to families struggling to rebuild after Typhoon Tino.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Balamban Mayor Amos Edwin Cabahug appealed to microfinance and lending institutions in the municipality to grant grace periods or temporary deferments on loan payments for residents affected by the storm.

“In behalf of the people of Balamban, I am appealing for your kind consideration to grant a grace period or temporary deferment of loan payments for your clients who have been affected by Bagyong Tino,” Cabahug said in a Facebook post.

He emphasized that many residents have lost livelihoods, suffered damage to their homes, and face disrupted income streams, making it extremely difficult to meet financial obligations.

“Even small acts of compassion can greatly help our fellow Balambanganons rebuild their lives. Together, let us help our community recover and rise again,” he added, urging financial institutions to exercise social responsibility.

The appeal comes amid ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations in Balamban.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro praised Cabahug for raising the municipality’s urgent needs during a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., noting that he was the only mayor to highlight the town’s specific challenges following the typhoon.

Baricuatro assured residents that the provincial government would continue providing support through water tankers, heavy equipment, and personnel for sanitation and clearing operations.

Cash assistance will also be fairly distributed to families who lost their homes.

Additionally, Vice Governor Glenn Soco extended additional aid by personally handing over P500,000 in financial support to the municipality.

His team also donated sacks of rice, bottled water, and canned goods, which were received by Cabahug and Municipal Treasurer Leonisa Completo.

Earlier, it was reported that mountain barangays in Balamban remain isolated due to landslides along the Transcentral Highway. Barangays such as Buanoy Bridge, Cansomoroy, Hingatmonan, Lamesa, Liki, Luca, Sunog, Ginantilan, Bayong, and Cabasiangan are among the hardest hit.

Relief teams have had to carry rice, water, and other essentials on foot to reach trapped families.

The blocked highway is expected to take two to three weeks to clear. Motorists are rerouted through Naga Road, which adds several hours to travel times.

Cabahug confirmed eight deaths in Balamban, with additional casualties reported in surrounding areas. Search and retrieval operations continue, and the provincial emergency operations center said 589 families have been severely affected, many of whom remain in evacuation centers.

The mayor, who has remained in the municipal hall since November 3 to oversee relief efforts, urged residents to remain calm and appealed to kind-hearted Sugbuanons and organizations to provide assistance.(MyTVCebu)