There’s no money for the P10-billion supplemental budget being sought by lawmakers for disaster relief and rehabilitation, according to the budget department. And even if there is, several lawmakers appear lukewarm to the proposal, especially since the funds will be disbursed under a state of calamity, wherein certain budgetary and procurement requirements may be set aside.
Government resources are obviously overwhelmed as typhoon “Pepeng” returned and lashed Luzon anew, inundating entire villages in muddy water and adding over a hundred to the already grievous death toll from storm “Ondoy.” But even in the midst of horrendous disaster, events of the past eight years have made Filipinos leery of special funds sought by the government, especially if the amount involves billions and the request is made as an election campaign approaches.
The national government should just heed the advice of a pro-administration senator. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said the government could source up to P34.1 billion for disaster relief and rehabilitation from the Motor Vehicle Users’ Charge or road users’ tax as well as the additional budgets for 2009 of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Agriculture.
Government auditors and concerned sectors should keep close tabs on the way public funds are being utilized for disaster mitigation. They should clarify what a state of calamity allows the national and local governments to do in terms of fund utilization, accountability, and supply procurement. This is needed especially because Malacañang has placed the entire country under a state of calamity, including many areas that have not been visited by Ondoy or Pepeng. Malacañang also wants the state of calamity to last a year – something unheard of even in this country that is regularly hit by natural disasters.
Santiago said that like absolute power, calamities breed corruption. As foreign assistance pours in and the government seeks funding for disaster mitigation, every effort must be made by concerned sectors to ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes, and a proper accounting will be made.