Senate OKs resolution extending validity of 2013 calamity funds

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A resolution, extending the validity of this year’s calamity-related funds for another year, was adopted by the Senate on Tuesday.

Twelve senators voted on the floor to adopt Senate Joint Resolution No. 7, no negative vote, and one abstention from Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile.

The resolution extends the validity of “unreleased and unobligated funds” under the 2013 General Appropriations Act related to calamity response such as those lodged under the calamity and quick response funds for one more year, thus, allowing the government to commit them to next year’s disaster response projects.

Senate President FranklinDrilon, who initiated the resolution, said the passage of the measure would ensure that the government will have adequate funds to respond to the magnitude of destruction caused by the past calamities, particularly Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

“In turn, the resolution will make sure that the appropriations under the 2013 calamity fund, including those all unobligated and unreleased allotments for the calamity-related projects under the 2013 national budget will remain valid for use until December 31 of next year,” Drilon said in a statement.

Drilon said funds, which remain unobligated and unreleased by the end of the year will be returned to the National Treasury and could not be used by the start of the next fiscal year.

The continued use of the remaining funds, estimated to be around P12 billion by the end of the current fiscal year, he said, will greatly augment efforts for the “rehabilitation, repair and construction of severely damaged infrastructure, buildings and facilities in order to accelerate recovery.”

The funds will be allocated and released to the line agencies, which are now dealing with the damages made by past disasters this year such as Supertyphoon Yolanda that destroyed large areas in Central Visayas: the typhoons “Santi” and “Labuyo” that hit Luzon; the siege in Zamboanga City;  the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the Bohol and Cebu provinces; and other catastrophic calamities that hit the country in the previous months and years.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the Senate committee on appropriations, which he heads, and the Commission on Audit will strictly require accountability of the disbursed funds.

The Department of Budget and Management, Escudero said, will require quarterly reports which will be reviewed before being listed on the DBM website for transparency purposes.

For his part, Drilon vowed to oversee the disbursement of relief and rehabilitation funds that Congress pledged to provide to the national government for its aid and rebuilding programs.

“We assure that Congress will fully carry out its oversight functions over the utilization of relief and rehabilitation funds currently being raised to support the government in addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of the people and areas victimized by the past calamitous events,” the Senate leader added.