DBM to release P1B for rehabilitation of Sendong-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines–Malacañang is releasing within this month an additional P1 billion to add to this year’s calamity fund “to ensure swift and continuous assistance to areas affected by tropical storm Sendong,” Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.

Abad said in a statement the additional fund would be covered by government savings and unreleased appropriations under the 2011 budget.

“By plugging more resources into the calamity fund, we can guarantee full support of ongoing relief and rehabilitation activities in Sendong-affected areas, including Cagayan de Oro and Iligan (cities),” Abad said.

Also, Abad reiterated that the remaining balance from this year’s calamity fund would be used to immediately implement disaster-management and rehabilitation projects in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, Negros Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Surigao del Sur.

“The DBM [Department of Budget and Management] is now working with other government agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of the victims and to restore essential services to communities felled by Sendong,” Abad said.

The Department of Social Work and Development will get P521.2 million to spearhead early recovery services for victims in Negros Oriental, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte.

In particular, this amount will be used to help build shelters for those who lost their homes, and provide livelihood assistance and cash-for-work initiatives.

Further, the Department of Public Works and Highways will get P208.6 million for the immediate repair of damaged bridges and roads in Negros Oriental and Lanao del Norte.

The damaged bridges include the two Mandulog bridges in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and Tanjay Bridge in Negros Oriental.

The Department of Science and Technology will get P150 million for the production and installation of 1,000 automatic water level sensors in 18 river basins across the country.

Abad said priority would be given to the Cagayan de Oro River, Iponan River, and the water systems in Iligan City.

The Local Water Utilities Administration will get P52.8 million for the quick rehabilitation of water systems in Cagayan de Oro.

Of the total amount that will be channeled to LWUA, P32.4 million will be used to repair source-and-production facilities while P20.4 million will be used to restore service connections to concessionaires.