Tumulak defends CH’s P3.5M expenditure for workers

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak criticized the Commission on  Audit (COA) for saying that the city officials violated the law when it spent P3.5 million last year for the salaries of job order workers, which was taken out of the calamity budget.

Tumulak said the payment of  “honorarium” to each of the job order workers in relation to calamity preparedness projects is necessary so that there are persons who could immediately respond to any calamities anytime.

“Kun magsalig lang g’yud ta sa mga volunteers wala ta’y makuha dayon nga mga tawo kay natural mangita man g’yud na sila og ilang panginabuhian. (If we depend solely on volunteers, we cannot get manpower immediately because they also have to look for their means of livelihood),” said Tumulak, who founded the Basak-Pardo Emergency Response (BPER).

Tumulak, who is tasked by Mayor Michael Rama to supervise the city’s projects in relation to disaster-related matters, said the city will send a letter to the COA justifying the actuations of the city in spending the calamity funds for the salaries of job order workers.

COA earlier said the city’s act of spending part of the calamity budget for the wages of job order personnel hired last year was considered highly irregular and contrary to the provisions of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

The state auditors explained that section 1 of the law provides that the calamity fund, which is equivalent to five percent of the estimated revenue from regular sources, shall be set aside as Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund.

The funds will be used to support disaster risk reduction management activities like pre-disaster preparedness programs including training, purchasing of life-saving rescue equipment, supplies and medicines for post disaster activities, for the payment of premiums on calamity insurance and construction of evacuation centers.  (FREEMAN)