TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Calamity funds cannot be utilized for salaries, bonuses or incentives of disaster personnel or volunteers of local government units (LGUs).
Isabela Taguinod, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) director for Cagayan Valley, said the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund of LGUs is strictly for disaster response and rehabilitation measures only.
“There are many questions if (such fund) can be utilized for salaries of (disaster) personnel, but the (order) is very clear that it cannot be. (Their) salaries must come from the (LGUs’) general fund,†Taguinod said.
Taguinod’s clarification was in response to the LGUs’ inquiries as well as different interpretations of the DBM guidelines on the allocation and utilization of disaster funds. It also came as Typhoon “Odette†continues to move toward the region.
Taguinod cited a recent joint memorandum of agreement of DBM and the Department of the Interior and Local Government which states that calamity funds are strictly for disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation programs and activities.