Gordon bats for more calamity funds for LGUs

Sen. Richard Gordon.
(Photo: Cesar Tomambo/ Senate of the Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA – With more strong typhoons hitting the country every year, Senator Richard Gordon has proposed additional allocations to augment the calamity funds of local government units.

Gordon made his suggestion during the Sente plenary debate on the budget of the Department of Budget and Management on Tuesday after Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoons Quinta and Ulysses devastated the regions of Bicol, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, and Metro Manila.

He said additional calamity funds should reach the people faster if these will be added to LGUs’ budget.

“Closer is better. We should put the money where the people are. Maybe we could increase the LGU funds instead of national government calamity funds. We need to give them the tools to reduce the suffering of the people,” he said.

Gordon said LGUs must have more training on disaster preparedness and response and they could use part of the additional allocations for it.

“Providing them with additional funds would expedite the rehabilitation of provinces that got the brunt of the disasters. They could also fund more training for their people,” he said.