THE Executive department was urged on Wednesday to revert to the calamity funds some P11 billion that was allocated to the Palace’s intelligence funds in the 2020 budget, as authorities scrambled to put together funding for a string of natural disasters, as well as for the repatriation of Filipinos in conflict zones in the Middle East.
The suggestion to return the P11 billion came from Minority Sen. Francis Pangilinan, noting the ongoing Taal activity, the recent Typhoon Ursula and the string of earthquakes in the south, as well as the campaign to take out of harm’s way thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.
Asked how his proposal to revert P11 billion back to calamity fund after it had already been transferred to the intelligence fund, Pangilinan suggested an alternative option.
“What can be done now is to look into the OP [Office of the President] intelligence funds of 2019 that have been extended to end of 2020,” Pangilinan said.
He suggested that “Congress can declare some MOOE [maintenance and other operating expenses] and CO [capital outlay] items there as savings and use the funds to support a supplementary budget to augment disaster relief funds.”
In a text message to the BusinessMirror, Pangilinan pointed to other potential sources.
“Another possible source of additional disaster funds would be the contingency funds for 2019 and 2020. There may still be balances there, especially for 2020,” the senator said, suggesting that “these can be used for disaster relief.”
For her part, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said “it will require an amendment since the [budget] bill has been signed into law.” She added, “it can no longer be recalled/reverted.”
Poe: Permanent disaster office needed
Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe on Tuesday pushed early passage of remedial legislation creating a permanent disaster management department, citing several southern Luzon areas grappling with the backlash of Taal’s eruption and continuing activity.
Scientists had warned that all indications point to a distinct possibility of a major magmatic eruption, as destructive as the 1911 Taal eruption that killed thousands.
Poe said it is time the country create a Department of Disaster Resilience, and Emergency Assistance and Management, which she is pushing in Senate Bill 124 that she filed last year.
“I think the eruption of Taal Volcano gives yet another reason for the establishment of this department,” Poe said when asked in a radio interview Tuesday.
“We really need a department that has a mandate of focusing on preventing tragedy during a calamity, correct and timely response, and adequate and proper rehabilitation, including acceptable relocation of victims,” Poe said.
Under the bill, the department will have a Bureau of Disaster Resiliency, which will focus on mitigation, prevention, and post-disaster rehabilitation; Bureau of Disaster Preparation and Response, which will handle the operations immediately before, during, and immediately after a disaster; and the Bureau of Knowledge Management and Dissemination, which will build up and disseminate technical knowledge on disaster risk reduction management.
Structurally, the department shall consists of two separate and distinct entities, which are the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management and the department proper.
“Noon pa ito ay na-file ko na kasi iyong ating NDRRMC, ngayon, bagama’t sila ay abala sa mga nangyayari, hindi pa ito ganap na departamento. So, ano ang ibig sabihin n’yan? Wala talagang secretary o cabinet rank level kaya coordinating council lang talaga sila,” Poe said.
The NDRRMC shall retain its policy-making and coordinating functions under Republic Act 10121, or the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,” while the department proper shall be the secretariat and executive arm envisioned to provide leadership with accountability. The department shall also have local offices in every region.
Poe said that while the NDRRMC has a head, the council is actually composed of several departments like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, and Department of Public Works and Highways.
Poe stressed that in times of calamities and disasters, it is critical that someone is in charge.
“One secretary should be responsible for the total picture,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino
‘Bayanihan’ spirit
Also on Tuesday, Pangilinan hailed the “Filipino bayanihan spirit at its finest with how groups and individuals from all walks of life are coming together and pitching in whatever they can to help families and animals affected by the Taal eruption cope with the calamity.”
He noted that “local government units are responding with their resources to provide for the daily needs of the thousands of evacuees in various towns in Batangas and nearby areas.
“It is incumbent upon the national government to do more and prepare for the long haul.”
In 1754, Pangilinan noted, Taal’s volcanic activity lasted for six months. “Phivolcs could not predict when the current eruption would end. As we pray for safety, we should also be vigilant in being ready.”
His suggested measures:
1. The Department of Agriculture should make an inventory of the damages, and see how it can salvage and protect crops and lands nearby that are in imminent danger.
2. There should also be a comprehensive data on the number of people whose livelihoods have been affected, so that government could map out a plan on how to help them.
3. Farmers and farm workers who could not immediately return to their lands should be given alternative livelihood and funding assistance if this calamity will last for months.
4. Fisherfolk in Taal Lake need critical help because they source their daily food and income from the waters. This early, they should be assured of income assistance to prevent them from returning to the lake.
5. Evacuation centers should be improved with more portalets or even permanent comfort rooms, kitchen facilities and other needs of the evacuees.
6. Near the evacuation centers, we also urge the setting up of refuge areas for animals and pets of the evacuees. These animals are part of their family and source of their income.
7. Health centers should also be beefed up to attend to the needs of the evacuees, especially those who are elderly, sick and pregnant.
8. Makeshift classrooms should also be installed to allow the students to continue studying and so as not to waste their time in evacuation centers.
Finally, Pangilinan made a suggestion for those who want to help:
1. In-kind donations of bottled water, blankets, medicines, masks, hygiene kits, raincoats and food items may be dropped off at:
446 Edsa, AGS Building, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact person: Precy-(0917) 533 8452.
21 Kaliraya Street, Barangay Doña Josefa, Quezon City.
UP CHK MBT Coach’s Lounge from January 15 (Wednesday) to 17 (Friday), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Goods gathered will be delivered to a specific evacuation site in Batangas on Saturday.
Volunteers will be needed to re-pack the goods. Please come with your UP Maroon attire. Contact persons: Yvette Garcia-(0917) 311 7858, Tricia Miranda-Fernandez- (0917) 887 4242.
2. For cash donations, donate through OVP’s #AngatBuhay partner, Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership:
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Bank Account Name: KN Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership Inc.
Bank Account No.: 3081-1173-72
Please send a copy of your deposit slip to these e-mails to keep track of your donations: knmovement@gmail.com and angatbuhay@gmail.com. You may also send a message at (0998) 596 8820 for queries and clarifications.
Image credits: Roy Domingo