Ask Office of Civil Defense to augment calamity funds, LGUs told

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) affected by recent typhoons should coordinate with the Office of Civil Defense so they can tap the emergency fund of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said yesterday.

Avisado gave this advice to concerned LGUs asking for financial assistance from the national government because their calamity funds were depleted due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

In a press briefing with presidential spokesman Harry Roque in Catanduanes, Avisado said the national government could not directly give cash assistance to LGUs.

Avisado said the NDRRMC fund stands at P3.6 billion.

“The national government may use it, but it cannot be directly released to local government units... All requests must be coursed through the Office of Civil Defense because they take care of requests related to the effects of a disaster or natural calamity,” he said.

Avisado said LGUs could also be assisted by various government agencies with quick response fund.

”Ito ay nakasaad sa General Appropriations Act... pag na-deplete na, mag-re-request sila ng replenishment,” he said.