Gov’t has enough funds for Bohol relief, reconstruction—Palace

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang gave assurances Saturday that funds for relief and reconstruction efforts in earthquake-ravaged Bohol were enough, saying the government has over P2.3 billion in quick response fund.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview with state-run radio DZRB that the Palace would “mobilize funds to help Bohol rise” from the destruction of the earthquake that destroyed houses, buildings, roads and bridges in Central Visayas on October 15.

The quake that struck underneath the popular tourist island province killed 199 from Bohol alone out of the 213 total death toll. Eight remain missing, all in Bohol.

In a Malacañang news release, Valte reported that in total, the government has about P2.3 billion Quick Response Fund—under the combined disaster funds of different implementing agencies.

Quick Response Funds are standby allocations under the national budget that provides the government immediate assistance to disaster-stricken areas.

In the statement, the P2.3 billion Quick Response Fund was broken down into the allocations of the following agencies:

• Office of Civil Defense  – P554 million
• Department of National Defense – P326 million
• Department of Education – P455 million
• Department of Agriculture – P196 million
• Department of Social Welfare and Development – P200 million
• Department of Public Works and Highways – P600 million

With the highest number of allocation, the DPWH is responsible for reconstructing damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructures in Bohol.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council estimated the damage to properties and infrastructure at P1.6 billion as of 6 a.m. Saturday.

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