P1.5-B augmentation to calamity funds for ‘Ulysses’-hit LGUs OK’d

In a televised Cabinet meeting aired Monday night, Duterte agreed to sign the fund request following a report made by Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado. (File: KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the additional PHP1.5 billion to augment the calamity funds of local governments units (LGUs) hit by Typhoon Ulysses, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that Duterte signed the fund request for typhoon-hit LGUs on Monday night.

“Yung pinirmahan po kahapon ni Presidente na pangalawang PHP1.5 billion para sa lokal na pamahalaan kasama na po diyan yung mga nasa Central Luzon gaya ng Bulacan at saka yung mga nasa Region 2 gaya ng Cagayan, Isabela (The second PHP1.5 billion which the President signed for local governments includes areas in Central Luzon like Bulacan and areas in Region 2 like Cagayan, Isabela),” he said in a virtual Palace presser.

Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Albay, Rizal, Quirino, Laguna, Camarines Norte, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Aurora, Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Batangas, Sorsogon, Marikina, Manila, Bataan, and Masbate will also receive the allocation, he added.

The government previously released PHP1.5 billion to LGUs in Albay, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Sorsogon, Occidental Mindoro, Laguna, Marinduque, Cavite, Rizal, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Romblon, and Palawan devastated by Typhoon Quinta and Super Typhoon Rolly.

In a televised Cabinet meeting aired Monday night, Duterte agreed to sign the fund request following a report made by Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado.

“If the papers have been prepared already pending my signature, you can release,” Duterte told Avisado.

Roque, meanwhile, assured the public that the Duterte administration will fairly treat all LGUs regardless if they are members of the opposition.

“Taliwas sa mga sinasabi ng kritiko, sa panahon ng kalamidad at sakuna, walang pinipili at hindi namumulitika ang administrasyong Duterte. Maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw, lahat ay pantay-pantay, lahat mabibigyan kaalyado man o hindi, bumuto man o hindi (Contrary to what critics say, during calamities and disasters, the Duterte administration does not engage in politics. It’s as bright as day, he treats everyone fairly, everyone will receive whether you’re an ally or opposition, whether you voted for him or not),” he said.

In a situation briefing in Camarines Sur last Nov. 15, Duterte ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to fast-track the release of calamity funds allotted to LGUs in areas affected by successive typhoons.

Duterte noted that people have been complaining of delays in receiving assistance, stressing the need to “move faster.”

Typhoon Ulysses claimed 73 lives and brought over PHP12 billion worth of losses to infrastructure and agriculture in Luzon, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.