By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Reaffirming the administration’s unwavering support to local government units (LGUs), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. continues to move forward with initiatives that ensure assistance is delivered to places where they matter the most.
This, as the President on Thursday led the ceremonial turnover of Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) funds at Malacañang.
In his speech, the Chief Executive underscored the importance of DRRAP as a proactive measure to address the challenges faced by the Philippines as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, applying lessons learned from every catastrophe that strikes on domestic shores.
He addressed the local chief executives, “Through financial assistance under the DRRAP, we reaffirm our commitment to working hand-in-hand with LGUs for efficiency and for responsiveness. Kung pagbangon ang pinag-uusapan, hindi maaaring pag-antayin ang ating mga kababayan.”
DRRAP involves a streamlined process in availing assistance, providing LGUs with direct access to funds allocated towards disaster relief, as well as providing them with the opportunity to spend these resources according to the needs of communities and constituents under their leadership.
About P8.6 billion in funds has been allocated under DRRAP to accelerate the recovery of 306 LGUs from the impacts of typhoons, earthquakes, and the 2024–2026 Kanlaon Volcano eruption.
As of press time, the first batch of aid (amounting to P6 billion) has already been released. The second batch, consisting of more than P2.5 billion, has already been approved and is already being downloaded to the local governments’ coffers.
Moreover, President Marcos Jr. urged local governments to improve their capabilities in reporting the impacts of disasters in their area to the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which also serves as a crucial component in ensuring prompt disaster interventions tailored to their respective needs.
He concluded with a warning against any malpractices in governance, “There must be no room for corruption for this program. Bawal ang ghost project, bawal ang mga komisyon, bawal ang mga substandard na rehabilitation projects. Anyone who tries to profit from the suffering of our fellow Filipinos will face the full force of the law.”
bjlc
