Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Ragay Degamo is initiating moves to solicit donations either in kind or in cash to help victims of the crisis in Zamboanga City.

Degamo had set aside P10,000 from his personal money to jump start the appeal for donations from well-meaning citizens and Negrenses including capitol employees, to help residents and individuals who were caught in the crossfire between government forces and MNLF rebels in Zamboanga.

The governor stressed this is voluntary, and whatever donations received will be coursed through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Alice Lagarde, who is also instructed to coordinate with her counterpart in Zamboanga City.

Capitol is seeking the possibility of using the quick response fund.

But the Office of the Civil Defense and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, it has no confirmation whether a state of calamity has been declared in Zamboanga City, which will be the basis for the release of the 30% of the 5% calamity fund.

In the meantime, the governor finds it necessary to appeal for donations in response to the call for help and alleviate the living conditions of victims. JG