Lacson team to work closely with LGUs

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) headed by former senator Panfilo Lacson has no funds to help calamity stricken areas and can only facilitate the release of funds from concerned line agencies.

This was clarified yesterday by PARR representatives during the consultative meeting at the Capitol initiated by the Province of Cebu and Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

Salimbangon said the meeting was the result of his “gentle reminder” to Lacson to include northern Cebu, particularly the fourth district, in the rehabilitation program.

PARR Communications Director Karen Gimeno explained that the office has no budget when it was created by President Benigno Aquino III last December 6, 2013.

Gimeno said the office has been working closely with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and is consulting with local government units in formulating plans for rehabilitation.

“PARR did not take over any existing government functions,” Gimeno said.

 Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez had reported that some government agencies did not coordinate with the local government in assessing the damage and in distributing assistance.

His claim, however, was refuted by Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro who said he has been conducting consultative meetings with stakeholders, including government agencies.

Some local officials also expressed frustration over the seeming delay of the national government in extending help.

PARR Public Sector head Joseph Rañola reported that there are funds available but the same have to go through proper documentation before the money can be released.

Under the General Appropriations Act of 2014, NDRRMC has P13 billion and P20 billion for the rehabilitation and reconstruction program.

After super typhoon Yolanda struck the Visayas, Congress also approved a P14.6 billion supplemental budget out of the Priority Development Assistance Funds for lawmakers that were not released last year.

Rañola said there is also “unprogrammed fund” amounting to P139.9 billion under the GAA of 2014 that can be accessed through the President.

Salimbangon hopes that mayors of concerned local government units can submit the report asked by PARR as soon as possible so that funds for rehabilitation can be determined soon.

“After this, if the evaluation will be expedited, perhaps by first week of March we should have the figures already so that by April, PARR will be able to come up with the figure already,” Salimbangon said.   (FREEMAN)