Ex-‘Yolanda’ czar Lacson reveals lack of gov’t support for rehab efforts

Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Three months after leaving his post as rehabilitation czar, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson disclosed the government’s “lack of support” while he was leading the reconstruction efforts in areas devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Lacson, who resigned as presidential assistant on recovery and rehabilitation on February, cited the problem with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), which he said was slow in releasing the funds needed to rehabilitate the areas.

READ: Lacson quits as ‘Yolanda’ czar

“In my experience when I was in charge of Yolanda, the problem is really with the DBM, which released funds in piecemeal and trickles,” Lacson said in an interview on Thursday when asked about a group of Yolanda survivors who trooped to the House of Representatives demanding an investigation on the government’s rehabilitation efforts.

“At one point, I even confronted the whole Cabinet especially DBM because we got information that there’s huge savings in the National Treasury, something like P350 billion, and we’re only asking for P50 billion for 2014, P80 billion for 2015 and P35 billion for 2016,” he said.

“But they would not release (funds) so I was always taking it up with Secretary Abad. They have to release P80 billion for 2015 otherwise nothing will happen,” he added, referring to Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

Lacson said “it was a good thing the private sector responded very positively.” In fact, he said, the private sector had already contributed about P20 billion.

The former rehabilitation czar said he was willing to face a House inquiry, saying he had nothing to hide.

“We worked under very hard conditions. We had no budget, I had no implementation authority, we didn’t have office, MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses),” said Lacson.

“My salary went to gasoline and e-pass expenses. It’s not enough. My staff experienced the same because we didn’t get any support. I’m not the type to complain and I don’t ask for doles,” he said.

“I just do my job when I’m given a mandate.”