Gov’t can raise funds for Yolanda-hit provinces — DBM

MANILA, Philippines - The government can easily raise the P26.84 billion needed for the rehabilitation of areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said yesterday.

“We wish to assure the public that we’re already moving funds to address the urgent need for disaster relief in all typhoon-stricken areas,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said.

On Monday, President Aquino said P18.7 billion in savings as well as calamity and contingency funds are available for rehabilitation.

He also said he has approved P1.1 billion for the Quick Response Fund of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

He said P6.4 billion would be drawn from the President’s Social Fund, P16.6 billion from government savings, P1.74 billion representing Quick Response Funds, P1.28 billion in Calamity Fund and P824 million in Contingency Fund.

“Because we only have two more months before the year concludes, however, the more costly rehabilitation requirements will be largely addressed through the 2014 budget,” Abad said.

“By then, fresh budgetary support will be available to aid all efforts at repairing the damage wrought by Yolanda to the Visayas region,” he said.

He added that “the more urgent post-disaster requirements – such as the restoration of power, water, and other utilities in all affected communities, as well as the immediate provision of shelter, food, medical and rescue activities, and clearing operations – will be amply supported by available funds.”

Abad said they continued to monitor developments in areas severely hit and that their thoughts and prayers were with the survivors who were only beginning to grapple with their tremendous losses.

“We deeply mourn the unprecedented destruction of life and property in the wake of the typhoon, but the Aquino administration is no less determined to bring quick relief to Yolanda’s victims and restore order and normalcy in all affected cities and communities,” he said.

Abad said disaster relief efforts have gathered pace, with the government working hand-in-hand with aid groups, civil society and volunteers around the country to provide swift aid to communities in need of post-disaster assistance. –With Delon Porcalla, Rudy Santos, Paolo Romero, Reinir Padua, Lawrence Agcaoili