By Brian Campued
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has assured the public that the government has enough funds to address the immediate needs of communities affected by Super Typhoon Nando.
In a statement Monday, DBM Sec. Amenah Pangandaman said that about P8.633 billion is allotted for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF)—which will be used for aid, relief, rehabilitation, and repair of permanent structures in areas lashed by Nando.
“Utos po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na agad nating suportahan ang mga kababayan nating maaapektuhan ng Super Typhoon Nando, maging ang mga frontline agencies na nagtatrabaho para masigurong agad silang matututulungan. Rest assured that on the part of the DBM, may nakahanda po tayong pondo para rito,” Pangandaman said.
“Hindi po dapat mag-alala ang ating mga kababayan. May sapat po tayong pondo at sisiguraduhin ng DBM na mabilis ang pagproseso, basta’t kumpleto at maayos ang dokumento,” she added.
Frontline agencies, including the Departments of Public Works and Highway, National Defense-Office of Civil Defense, Education, Social Welfare and Development, and Agriculture may also use their Quick Response Funds (QRFs) for immediate disaster response.
Pangandaman explained that unlike NDRRMF, QRFs can be used without the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or approval from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Replenishment may be requested once at least 50% of the QRF is utilized.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), a total of 7,922 families or about 24,788 individuals across Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos, and Central Luzon have been preemptively evacuated due to the threat of Super Typhoon Nando as of Tuesday morning.
Weather bureau PAGASA said Nando already exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as of 8:00 a.m. However, its trough and the enhanced southwest monsoon may still bring heavy rains over the western section of Luzon.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), for its part, said around 10,956 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) have been distributed to those affected by Nando, the southwest monsoon (habagat), and the recent tropical cyclone Mirasol in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, and CAR.
Based on NDRRMC’s situational report, three persons were reported to have died due to the recent weather disturbances, while nine were injured and five were missing—all of which are still under validation.
A total of 35,264 families or 123,142 persons were affected in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, CAR, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
These include 4,360 families or 13,431 individuals currently taking temporary shelter in 252 evacuation centers, while 1,366 families or 4,131 persons are outside the centers.
-jpv
