Pampanga reprograms calamity fund

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – The provincial disaster management council has passed a resolution seeking to reprogram and augment the province’s P3.5-million  calamity fund to better address the needs of residents affected by Typhoon Lando.

Provincial disaster risk reduction and management office chief Angelina Blanco said the move was meant to boost the existing programs and services of the provincial government, particularly on housing, cash and food-for-work assistance for calamity victims.

“Our provincial social welfare and development office requested more funds as the amount was almost used up for disaster-relief assistance during the previous calamities that hit the province,” Blanco said.

Under the resolution, P1 million has been set for the construction and repair of protective dikes and the P1.5 million allotted for auxiliary services will be realigned for emergency shelter and livelihood assistance, as well as cash for work projects for Lando victims.

Blanco said another P1 million originally set for informal settlers would be used to help dengue patients.

Provincial social welfare office chief Elizabeth Baybayan said they are giving P2,000 to each dengue patient confined in different government hospitals in the province.