Gov’t has enough calamity funds for next typhoons – Chavez
(INQUIRER file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The government has sufficient calamity funds available for its use in response to upcoming typhoons until the end of the year, the Palace said on Monday.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez made the statement during an ambush interview after the signing of the new law titled Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act.
Chavez said the calamity funds usually run out around September each year.
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Article continues after this advertisementBut he also guaranteed that the government has adequate sources of funding.
Article continues after this advertisement“In-assure tayo ng Department of Budget and Management na may pondo tayo,” he said.
(The Department of Budget and Management assured us that we have sufficient funds.)
“Totoo na nababawasan sya. Historically, as early as October, sometimes September, ang calamity fund ng national at local, nauubos na siya,” he noted.
(It’s true that these funds get reduced. Historically, as early as October and, sometimes, even by September, the national and local calamity funds are already depleted.)
“Pero laging may pagkukunan ng pondo ang gubyerno at may assurance mula kay DBM na may sapat na pondo para sa susunod na kalamidad hanggang sa katapusan ng December,” he added.
(But the government have sources of funding, and there is an assurance from the DBM that there will be sufficient funds for upcoming disasters until the end of December.)
As of 8 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Typhoon Nika (international name: Toraji) further intensified as it approached the boundary of Isabela and Aurora.
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The typhoon was last spotted over the coastal waters of Dilasag, Aurora, carrying maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 180 kph while moving west northwestward at 15 kph.
