P55.4 billion for rehabilitation of calamity-ravaged areas - Drilon

MANILA, Philippines - The government may use at least P55.4 billion for its relief and long-term rebuilding efforts on areas devastated by recent calamities such as Super Typhoon "Yolanda," Senate President Franklin Drilon said Monday.

The proposed amount will be sourced from the P20.8 billion calamity-related funds, the P20-billion rehabilitation fund in the 2014 national budget and the untapped P14.6-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of lawmakers which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Drilon explained that the House of Representatives and the Senate agreed to pass a supplemental budget where the source will be the unused PDAF and a joint resolution extending for one more year the validity of calamity-related funds in this year's budget.

On Monday, Drilon filed Senate Joint Resolution No. 5 for this purpose, authorizing the government to use the unobligated and unreleased budget for the calamity and quick response funds until December 31, 2014.

He filed the resolution saying the funds will go back to the National Treasury and could not be used anymore by the start of the next fiscal year if they remain unobligated by the end of 2013.

Under the resolution, implementing agencies shall first secure the endorsement of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) of the calamity-related projects that will be covered by the extended validity of the authorized allotments.

“It is imperative for the government to implement aggressive and continuous relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas to enable our people and communities to recover from the damage caused by the said calamities,” Drilon said.

He hopes that the proposals will be approved before Congress adjourns on December 21 for the holiday break.

The Senate chief noted that the  P55.4 billion is on top of the regular appropriations for calamity and quick response funds under the proposed P2.268-trillion national budget for 2014.

"The President has already assured us of his complete support for the urgent passage of these proposed measures, which he will certify as urgent," said Drilon.

Major portion of the funds will be used  to rehabilitate and repair various infrastructure including school buildings and heritage structures that were destroyed by the past disasters including Yolanda that wrought havoc in Central Visayas; Typhoons Santi and Labuyo that hit Luzon, the siege in Zamboanga City, and the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that jolted Bohol and Cebu.

"The intended beneficiaries of these funds are those whose lives, homes and livelihood have been severely damaged by the recent calamities. We owe them our most urgent and prudent response," Drilon said.