MANILA – After leading the distribution of immediate assistance to flood-hit families in Calumpit and Marilao, Bulacan on Tuesday, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he supports the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire Luzon under a state of calamity.
“Yes, ako pabor po ako d’yan. Mas mapapabilis ang rehabilitation efforts ng mga LGUs kapag isinailalim sa state of calamity and inaprubahan na po ng Pangulo (‘yung increase sa calamity fund) ng mga probinsya na tinamaan ng bagyo. Magbibigay po ng 1 percent of their IRA sa mga LGUs na tinamaan ng bagyo para magamit nila sa relief and rehabilitation,” he said in a media interview.
(I’m in favor of that. Rehabilitation efforts of LGUS [local government units] would be hastened if Luzon is under a state of calamity and the President would approve the increase of calamity fund of the provinces hit by typhoons. They would get 1 percent of their IRA [internal revenue allotment] to the LGUs to be used for relief and rehabilitation.)
In an emergency meeting held last November 16, the members of the NDRRMC approved the recommendation to declare a state of calamity in the entire Luzon following the onslaught of typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses that displaced thousands and caused massive destruction.
If approved by the President, local government units will have more access to public funds to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts in their respective areas.
Cognizant that calamity funds of LGUs are now depleted because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Go earlier appealed to the Executive department to replenish the calamity funds of affected LGUs with an amount equivalent to 1 percent of their respective IRA.
The budget department is expediting the release of said augmentation funds following Go’s appeal and subsequent directive from the President.
To further improve disaster mitigation measures of the government, Go also sought better coordination in various government levels to reduce damage following the massive flooding in Cagayan Valley.
Go said the national government should remain in charge of managing dams, particularly during typhoons.
He, however, appealed for better coordination with concerned LGUs to be more proactive, such as in ordering a preemptive evacuation.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu earlier said the Cagayan River was already swollen caused by sustained and prolonged rain in Cagayan Valley as early as October when earlier storms hit the region.
Cagayan River is only one of the eighteen tributaries that feed the catch basin in the region. Other sources of water come from the Cordilleras and Sierra Madre mountain ranges.
Strictly following its protocols, the National Irrigation Administration, the agency that manages the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System, earlier reported that its team started opening the spill gates as early as November 9 to prevent overspilling that may, unfortunately, result in a more disastrous dam breakage.
Different communication tools were also used to disseminate information on the schedule of the dam’s water releases. These included television, radio, print, social media, emails, SMS, and sirens.
“Anyway, ‘wag na po tayo magsisihan para sa susunod na pagpapakawala ng tubig ay magiging well-coordinated ito with local government units,” he said.
(Anyway, let’s not blame each other so that the next time water is released, this would be well-coordinated with local government units.)
Asked if he is in favor of increasing the national security level of the country’s anti-disaster and environmental measures, Go said the protection and preservation of ecological balance is one of the major national security interests of the Duterte Administration.
“Ang National Security Policy 2017 to 2022 ay hindi lamang limitado sa mga traditional security issues, like military conflicts, armed rebellion, malaking bahagi rito ay ang well-being ng bawat Pilipino. Kaya dahil po sa climate change ngayon, ay naging stronger, more frequent and more destructive na po ang mga bagyo, ‘no?” Go said.
(The National Security Policy 2017 to 2022 is not only limited to traditional security issues, like military conflicts, armed rebellion. A big part of this is the well-being of every Filipino. That’s why because of climate change, typhoons have become stronger, more frequent, and more destructive.)
Go also urged Filipinos to continue helping each other by exemplifying the “bayanihan” spirit so that the country can recover swiftly from the disasters. (PR)
