OCD: No irregularities in handling of Yolanda funds

MANILA, Philippines - No irregularities exist in the handling of donations for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said yesterday.

In a phone interview, OCD spokesman Romina Marasigan said a Commission on Audit (COA) report showing more than P48.8 million in local and foreign donations being kept in banks is outdated.

“Typhoon Yolanda made landfall on Nov. 8, 2013,” she said. “The report only covered the period until Dec. 31, 2013. From the time the report was released until now, we have already given P39 million worth of financial assistance to the victims.”

Marasigan explained that the funds can only be used to provide financial help to families of the dead and injured. Each of the families of the deceased received P10,000 while those of the injured got P5,000, she said.

Marasigan said the OCD cannot use the funds to buy food or housing materials.

“The challenge is the documentation of the beneficiaries because the records have been wiped out,” she said. “We had to reestablish the records.”

Marasigan said OCD cannot just release the funds without proper validation of the identities of claimants.

“We are judicious in spending money,” she said. “We cannot just deplete the funds because not all families who lost their loved ones have claimed assistance.”

The COA has reported that the funds were deposited in banks as of end 2013 until June 2014.

“The donations for Typhoon Yolanda remained intact with the depository bank,” read the report.

“There were no disbursements out of the donations received. What the victims need is speedy delivery of basic goods and services as temporary relief from their unexpected plight. We believe that this is the very essence of the prompt donations entrusted by the donors.”