Loren calls for calamity fund audit

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Sen. Loren Legarda has called for an audit of the government’s calamity fund to ensure that local government units can use it to respond to natural calamities.

Legarda said she wants to know the status of the remaining P2.5 billion in the 2011 calamity fund and the concessional loan of P21 billion from the World Bank (WB).

“We want to know if the government has spent it already,” Legarda said.

Legarda, Cagayan de Oro Reps. Rufus and Maximo Rodriguez and at least 40 Mindanao mayors who attended the two-day forum on climate change here yesterday and on Friday, also pressed for better awareness on the changing climate and risk reduction.

 Legarda noted that President Aquino has vetoed the use of the said funds for disaster prevention.     

She added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Oriental Mindanao, has spent P521 million, including P150 million for the purchase of water sensors.

Legarda also said she wants to know the status of the proposed People Survival Fund, or the a mechanism that will support the climate adaptation needs of local governments and communities.

“We have the best laws on natural disaster in the world but what is the use of these laws if the local government units cannot implement it,” Legarda said. “It is our obligation to help the local government units.”

Rodriguez said they will ask the President to allocate P25 billion not only for disaster mitigation and preparedness but also for disaster response.

“We see that the government is focusing only on disaster response but we as local government officials want the fund for disaster prevention,” he said.

 He said they would also request for P21 billion or $500 million from the WB in addition to the P7.5 billion in the General Appropriations Act.

Rufus said local officials in Iligan City had received P28 million including a P52-million calamity fund to assist the victims of typhoon Sendong.