MANILA, Philippines — The government still has P707 billion of unutilized funds from the 2019 national budget which can be used to help thousands of families affected by Taal Volcano’s phreatic explosion, Sen. Sonny Angara said yesterday.
Angara said the untouched funds can be spent to help victims of Taal’s unrest and other calamities if President Duterte declares them as savings.
“As of Nov. 30 (2019), there was still P700 billion of unutilized funds because of the late passage of the 2019 budget and of calamity fund almost P7 billion unutilized also,” said Angara.
“Billions lodged in various agencies were not used so that was a consideration in setting 2020 levels. Incidentally, much of those funds are still available and if declared by the executive as savings, can be spent to help the victims of the eruption and other calamities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sen. Manuel Lapid wants to require all primary and secondary schools in the country to teach subjects on disaster awareness and disaster mitigation.
In Senate Bill 1140, Lapid is seeking to integrate with the curricula of primary and secondary schools the subject that fully explains natural and man-made disasters to instill disaster preparedness.
Lapid believes it is important for the Filipino youth to appreciate sufficient preparedness for calamities that may strike the country anytime.
Citing data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), he said an average of 20 typhoons enter the country every year. These may result in dangerous storm surges, floods and strong winds that destroy properties and lives.
The Philippines is also ranked among the most disaster-prone countries in the world. It is vulnerable to earthquakes, tsunami, floods, droughts and volcanic eruptions such as the recent explosion of Taal Volcano in Batangas.
He stressed that the government and educational institutions should promote a proactive disaster preparedness program.
Lapid said research presented at the recent National Conference on National Disaster Mitigation mentioned that the “Filipino people are more reactionary than anticipatory in their disaster-preparedness and hazard awareness programs.”
The research also indicated that proactive planning is not a priority for the majority of Filipinos, particularly those in the low-income bracket.
“It is about time that we take a step further in protecting our people by minimizing the loss of lives and property damage. All this could start from a simple information drive in the schools with the hope that the Filipino youth can someday lead a proactive and dynamic society,” he concluded.