Gov't releasing P1.29B calamity fund for Sendong victims
MANILA, Philippines - The government will be releasing P1.29 billion in calamity-response funds to assist victims of Tropical Storm “Sendong,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said on Monday.
“With the Calamity Fund, the governmnent is generously equipped to mobilize and support disaster relief efforts in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and other Sendong-affected areas. We are ensuring the quick release of these funds so that victims will receive swift and proper assistance,” Abad said, in a statement.
Over the weekend, “Sendong” swept through southern Philippines, bringing heavy rains that caused flashfloods that caught many residents living near rivers by surprise. As of 6 a.m. Monday, the NDRRMC said death toll from the typhoon has risen to 533, with 309 still missing. A separate report from the Philippine National Red Cross said the death toll from the typhoon is already at 652.
The Budget Secretary said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of National Defense (DND), and the Department of Education (DepEd) also have their own Quick Response Funds (QRFs). These funds guarantee direct and immediate support to areas affected by Sendong. Abad did not specify how much the departments’ QRFs were.
“We also have the Local Government Support Fund shares of all affected local government units, for whom President Benigno S. Aquino III will provide Special Allotment Release Orders and Notices of Allocation tomorrow (Tuesday),” Abad said.
If there is a need for additional disaster-response funds, Abad said there are sufficient reserves to augment the Calamity Fund and QRFs to speed up relief operations in affected areas.
In the 2012 budget, some P7.5 billion is allocated for to the Calamity Fund, a 50% increase from this year’s budget.
Source: ABS-CBN
Source: save-theearth
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