Lacson: P8.09B funds given to city

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – The national government has already poured P8.09 billion for the rehabilitation of the Yolanda-ravaged city, said Presidential Rehabilitation and Recovery Assistant Panfilo Lacson.

“Numbers don’t lie since these are monitored and validated by different sources. I came here today to see for myself if all these projects are really ongoing. This is the time for us to tell people that we are not neglecting Tacloban,” Lacson told reporters in his visit to the city on Tuesday.

He said the amount represented more than half of the P15 billion requested and approved budget for the city under the comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery plan.

Lacson made a detailed report of assistance for Tacloban after a recent squabble between him and City Mayor Alfred Romualdez. He criticized the mayor for “being uncooperative,” while the latter slammed the national government for neglecting the city.

The mayor even asked Lacson to step down from his post, but the cabinet official responded that he would just help instead of resigning.

“No matter what issues will come out, we cannot leave Tacloban City behind in the rehabilitation process, but we need information from the local level since we are not omnipotent and almighty to see everything,” Lacson said.

The secretary said his earlier pronouncement of P6.1 billion allotted for Tacloban was actually higher by P2 billion to include outlay for the rehabilitation and development of the city’s Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport.

Of the P8.09 billion for this city alone, the P3 billion was disbursed for repair of roads and bridges, P367.44 million for social services, P4 billion for permanent relocation and P714 million for livelihood assistance.

The P3 billion for infrastructure repair included the P184 million from the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the rehabilitation of local government buildings. The amount represented 80 percent of the P234 million requirements to repair the city hall, public market, and other local government structures.

“Unlike funds for rehabilitation of local government buildings, bulk of the money went through implementing agencies like the National Housing Authority, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Trade and Industry,” Lacson added.

Reached for comment, Romualdez said he was not arguing with the national government. “I am just answering serious accusations that were made against me and against the people of Tacloban. I have to answer accusations even in a wrong forum.” – /PNA