The budget of the provincial government of Albay is only enough to support families affected by super Typhoon Rolly for one week. As the year comes to a close, the provincial coffers have dwindled also due to the impact of COVID-19.
Following the damage on the rice stocks of the province, Albay has to purchase at least 3,000 sacks of rice amounting to ₱6 million for 50,000 families for single distribution. The province has to utilize portions of its remaining ₱20 million emergency fund for other food items aside from rice.
“Mayroon pa naman kami, but only for 1 week. And then after 1 week, marami nang darating galing sa DSWD, mayroon na. Inuna lang nila iyong Catanduanes dahil walang-wala roon (We still have funds, but only for 1 week. There will be DSWD assistance after 1 week. They had to prioritize Catanduanes because they have nothing there),” Albay Gov. Francis Bichara explained.
Albay is expecting assistance from the national government to continue supporting the recovery of displaced residents. More than 100,000 families were affected by the super typhoon in Albay and 16,000 are still staying in evacuation centers.
The typhoon also damaged houses of at least 20,000 families in the province. Bichara said there are lands available in safer areas since they were purchased last year, but they are already bereft of budget for construction materials.
“Mayroon namang mga budget ‘yan sa DSWD noon for shelter. Inilipat na ‘yan noong pumasok ‘yung dating secretary na babae. Ipinalipat sa NHA (National Housing Authority). So ‘yung DSWD walang budget for this purpose. Napunta sa NHA lahat (The DSWD previously had budget for shelter. It was transferred by the previous lady secretary. Now it is with the NHA. So the DSWD has no budget for this purpose. It all went to the NHA),” Bichara explained. – Report from Karen Villanda
