Bulacan lawmaker seeks probe on calamity fund use

MANILA, Philippines - Bulacan Rep. Joselito Mendoza has called for a congressional inquiry into how the P93-million calamity fund of the province was spent on victims of typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel.”

Considering the supposedly little quantity of relief goods received by typhoon victims, Mendoza said the provincial government owes Bulakeños an explanation on where did the calamity fund go.

“From the top down to the purchasing officers and packers. The calamity fund came from the hard-earned taxes of us Bulakeños. We must see proof that it has been spent, legally, only on calamity victims and no one else,” Mendoza said in a statement.

Mendoza cited media reports that scores of residents in the towns of Calumpit, Hagonoy and Paombong allegedly waited for days before they received relief goods.

“What was the reason for this? Weren’t there any stocks? If there was none, what took them so long to buy and distribute relief goods to flood victims? Where was the calamity fund?” Mendoza asked.

Mendoza also echoed calls for proof of claims by the provincial government that P32 million worth of relief goods have already been given to the typhoon victims.