NOT DEPLETED? | Duterte vows to release P10B to areas hit by Typhoon Odette by Friday

December 22, 2021 , 12:25 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(December 22, 2021) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday vowed to release P10 billion to fast-track the distribution of assistance to areas affected by Typhoon Odette, eyeing to download the funds to local government units (LGUs) by Friday.

Duterte, who previously claimed that the government has “depleted” funds, said he would source the budget from the Office of the President to provide basic needs, urging LGUs to move fast once they receive the allocation.

“What I can promise you is that I said on or before Friday, the money will be downloaded. Hindi ito ‘yung contingent fund, hindi ito calamity (fund)—this is the money na nakuha ko from my office,” said Duterte during his late-night public address. “Itong akin, nag-skip lang ako (ng protocols) para may maibigay ako.”

On Friday, Duterte claimed the administration was still looking for available sources of funds to assist the victims of Typhoon Odette, which battered several provinces in Visayas and Mindanao. He later committed to providing P4 billion to Cebu, Leyte, and Bohol before increasing the amount to P10 billion, covering all areas reeling from the impact of the strong storm.

Duterte, however, maintained that the public coffers have already been exhausted due to the COVID-19 crisis. He feared that the entry of the Omicron variant would further dry up the country’s resources if the cases rise anew.

“Let me be frank to the public—depleted na ‘yung pera talaga ng Pilipinas, even coping with the growing expenses for the typhoon victims. Winalis nga kung ano pang matira, ubusin na lang and we might get more funds,” said Duterte.

Civil society organizations have criticized Duterte for his “irresponsible” claims, pointing to confidential and intelligence funds as a possible source of funds. Duterte’s office alone has about P4.5 billion under this purpose, based on the 2021 General Appropriations Act.

Sen. Ping Lacson, a presidential aspirant, suggested that the Office of Civil Defense submit an initial report to determine the extent of damage across the regions. He also urged the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to discuss its action plan.

The NDRRMC received P6.4 billion worth of quick response funds under this year’s national budget lodged under eight agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of National Defense, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“It is imperative to expedite the submission of their initial post-disaster needs assessment in order to have accurate data-driven information on the ground, so the national government can prioritize relief, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts and assistance to hardest-hit communities,” said Lacson.

So far, the NDRRMC said the total cost of damages to infrastructure reached P227 million as many roads are still blocked by power lines and fallen trees. The DA, meanwhile, estimated the damages to agriculture at P2.2 billion, affecting almost 34,000 farmers and fishers.

(PM)

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