Duterte orders immediate release of additional funds to typhoon-hit LGUs

(Screenshot from PTV)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the prompt release of additional funds for local government units (LGUs) affected by recent typhoons, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said Tuesday.

Avisado said the total amount to be augmented for LGUs that suffered the brunt of Typhoon Quinta, Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses is P1.5 billion.

“Wag po kayo mag-alala, ang inyo pong gobyerno ay meron pong sapat na pondo para po tugunan yung mga pangangailangan ninyo,” Avisado said during a televised briefing.

(Don’t worry, your government has enough funds to address your needs.)

“Dahil nga dito, pinapamadali ng ating Pangulo ang pagrerelease nga additional funds para sa ating mga local government units, partikular doon sa mga nasalanta ng Typhoon Quinta, sinundan ni Super Typhoon Rolly at ito naman ngayon si Typhoon Ulysses,” he added.

(The President has ordered the immediate release of additional funds to local government units affected by Typhoon Quinta, Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses.)

The province of Albay has the biggest allocation in the total amount of funds to be released with over P347 million followed by Quezon with P225 million, Camarines Sur with P165 million, Catanduanes with P143 million.

Other provinces that will receive additional funds are Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Sorsogon, Occidental Mindoro, Laguna, Marinduque, Cavite, Rizal, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Romblon and Palawan.

The DBM has yet to respond to queries why Cagayan Valley and Isabela provinces, as well as the city of Marikina were not mentioned as recipients of additional funding.

Avisado said the estimated amount of damage and number of affected populations were among the considerations in the release of additional funds.

“Yan po ay ire-release natin baka ngayon or bukas or within the week. Diretso na po yan sa account ng mga local government units,” he said.

(That will be released either today, tomorrow or within the week. It will go straight to local government units.)

EDV