CCDRRMC listed P66M priority projects, programs

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has proposed at least P66 million worth of priority programs and projects for this year.

The amount includes projects like P2.5 million for the preparation of the closure and rehabilitation plan of the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill; P25 million for unforeseen calamities; P26.3 million financial assistance for barangays; and P5.5 million to buy fire extinguishers to every chapel in the city, among others.

It also includes purchase of 15 units of container vans at P1 million; P797,600 for the salaries of 30 job order employees under PROBE team; P2.4 million for the purchase of parts and supplies needed for the repairs of bulldozers and payloaders; P270,400 for the purchase of tires for payloader; P236,580 for the purchase of parts and supplies for the repair of dump truck; P348,400 for the honoraria of 10 members of Barangay Cogon Pardo ambulance crew, among others.

The proposal was supported by the resolution of Councilor David Tumulak. The proposed resolution was already referred to the committee on budget and finance for comments and recommendations.

Tumulak, in his resolution, said the CCDRRMC has endorsed to his office the reprogramming of certain items under the 2015 Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund. He said LDRRMF 2015 has unutilized balance amounting to P66.1 million.

The disaster team wants to spend the funds for new projects and programs this year.

"The City Accounting Office has certified and submitted the summary of the unexpended account balances of the LDRRMF as of 2015 which has accrued to the special trust fund for the LDRRMF," the resolution reads.

Under the CCDRRMC's proposal, the P2.5 million closure and rehabilitation plan of the Inayawan landfill includes the conduct of a thorough damage and risk assessment.

Councilor Joel Garganera said the amount is "too big."

"I don't know on how they will do it. That's too big. I want to know the extent why it reached with the amount," he said.

Garganera earlier asked for the permanent closure of the landfill which was granted by the Court of Appeals. The city government, however, still has a pending motion for reconsideration. (FREEMAN)