Following the rampage of Typhoon Odette, Senator and vice-presidential aspirant Francis Pangilinan said there is a need to increase calamity funds in order to avoid budget shortages reported by typhoon-hit areas.
"Siyempre 'yung budget, 'yung calamity funds, kinakailangan ma-augment pa ng dagdag," he told DZRH in an interview.
(The budget, the calamity funds, it needs to be augmented to include more.)
Pangilinan said he agreed with some of his fellow senators that there are still over P1 trillion unused budget in some agencies that could be used for rehabilitation.
"Meron mahigit isang trilyon na nasa mga ahensya na hindi pa nagagasta, naka-park. Hindi nagagastos dahil kulang sa execution, implementasyon," he said.
(There is over P1 trillion inside agencies that remain unspent and parked. It is not yet used because of a lack of execution and implementation.
"'Yan dapat ilaan at madagdagan ang rehabiiltation. Ibang klase itong damage na naranasan ng nasa Siargao, Surigao, Dinagat, Bohol, Cebu, Southern Leyte, bilyon-bilyon ang kakailanganin dito at nariyan yung pondo," he added.
(It should be allocated to add more to rehabilitation. The damage suffered by people from Siargao, Surigao, Dinagat, Bohol, Cebu, and Southern Leyte is different, billions are needed and the budget is there.)
According to the senator, the response should also be swift, and local government units should be heard and supported when they ask for more calamity funds.
"Kaya dahil dito sa emergency declaration … maari nang suportahan sa pondo ang ating mga pamahalaang lokal ng ating national government," he said.
(Because of the emergency declaration … the national government can now support funding to local government units.)
In addition, reconstruction and rehabilitation should also keep in mind future typhoons to ensure that they are more resilient when the next disaster comes, according to Pangilinan.
"Kapag nagpatayo na tayo ulit, dapat maliwanag ang pagpapatayo natin - lahat 'yan in consideration na, 'yung klaseng materyales na gagamitin sa mga bahay," he said.
(When we reconstruct, the materials used for houses should be clear and considered.)
The vice presidential aspirant also echoed the suggestion of his running mate, Vice President Leni Robredo, to establish underground cables to avoid power outages in times of calamity.
