Lacson: DICT wants P2B emergency fund to restore infra damaged by typhoons

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has requested an emergency fund of P2 billion to help restore ICT (information and communications technology) infrastructure damaged by recent strong typhoons that hit the country.

This was disclosed by Senator Panfilo Lacson as he defended the DICT’s proposed funding for 2021 during the Senate budget debates on Friday.

“They actually have requested an emergency fund of P2 billion but it has not been acted upon yet. Maybe the national government is also waiting for the PDNA (Post-Disaster Needs Assessment) to be submitted,” he said, citing information from DICT officials.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon who was interpellating the department’s budget called this situation “not unusual.”

“That’s not unusual because there are so many requests which are not acted upon. On the other hand, DBM (Department of Budget and Management) is saying that many agencies have not been able to use the funds available to them,” said Drilon.

However, Lacson said the DICT is still conducting post-disaster needs assessment together with other government agencies.

He added that the department also needs to get information from telecommunication companies first on the damage caused by the recent typhoons on their ICT infrastructure.

“As soon as they (DICT) get the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment, they will provide us a copy. But as of now, there is no provision to reconstruct whatever damage is caused by the typhoons,” he said.

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