ANSWER TO FLOODS, CARINA Rep. Libanan: Gov’t has enough funds for relief and rehab of damaged areas

by Miriam G. Desacada

Borongan City–House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan had assured the public that “there is ample government funding for emergency relief aid and rehabilitation services” for communities direly affected by the recent flooding due to torrential monsoon rains and typhoon Carina.

 “In the 2024 General Appropriations Law, Congress earmarked the sum of P20.5 billion for the Calamity Fund to provide relief augmentation, such as cash aid and shelter assistance,” said Libanan in a public statement released to the media. , a 4Ps party-list representative. “The Calamity Fund also covers the repair and restoration of damaged vital public structures such as school buildings, hospitals, roads, bridges and seaports, among others,” added Libanan, a 4Ps party-list representative. 

The congressman, a native of Eastern Samar, added that “we expect rebuilding activities” in the damaged areas that in turn provide construction-related jobs to benefit a number of people needing income at this time.

He further said that Congress had allocated Quick Response Fund (QRF) for disaster recovery to various government departments, as follows:1) Department of Education — P3 billion); 2) DSWD Department of Social Welfare and Development –P1.75 billion; 3) DPWH – P1 billion; 4) Department of Agriculture – P1 billion; 5) Department of National Defense – P500 million; 6) DoTr-Phil. Coast Guard – P75 million; and 7) DILG – P50 million each for the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection.“The Calamity Fund will replenish the QRF allocations of these departments, as needed,” said Libanan.

The congressman said the recent “severe weather events caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, farm harvests, and properties” due to widespread flash floods, coastal storm surges, and landslides, direly affecting at least 3.3 million people nationwide.

A total of 104 cities and municipalities, including the whole of Metro Manila, are now under a state of calamity, he said but with the assurance that these areas can fully recover with the ample funds available. —Miriam G. Desacada