Senator Christopher "Bong" Go (File photo)
MANILA – Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Monday appealed again to the national government to assist local government units (LGUs) also affected by Typhoon Ulysses by augmenting their calamity funds equivalent to 1 percent of their respective internal revenue allotment (IRA).
Go earlier appealed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to augment the same funds of LGUs hit by Super Typhoon Rolly that affected Luzon, particularly Bicol region and CALABARZON.
He said most of the calamity funds of LGUs have been depleted due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
"Umaapela ako ulit sa ating gobyerno, kay Pangulo at sa DBM, na tulungan ang mga pinaka-apektadong LGUs na nangangailangan ng dagdag na calamity funds para mas makaresponde sa mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga kababayan (I appealed again to the government, to President (Rodrigo Rudterte) and DBM to help the affected LGUs that need calamity funds to respond to the need of their constituents)," Go said in a new release on Monday.
Go made the appeal following calls for assistance from affected LGUs as their calamity funds have been exhausted not only due to the pandemic but the recent string of typhoons that hit the country the past months.
"Malaki po ang magagawa ng pondong ito upang mapunan ang mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga komunidad, lalo na't nabawasan na ang kanilang naunang pondo dahil sa pandemya (These funds would support the needs of their respective communities especially now that the pandemic depleted their calamity funds)," he added.
Go said the executive department may explore the possibility for incremental provision of additional funds to severely affected LGUs depending on the extent of the needs of communities and on the availability of funds.
"Sunud-sunod ang mga sakuna at krisis na dumating sa ating bansa. Kaya ngayon na may hinaharap silang panibagong krisis, huwag natin silang pabayaan at bigyan natin sila ng dagdag na tulong. Sabi nga ng Pangulo, (Our country was hit by successive disasters and crisis. And now that they face another crisis, let’s not forsake them, let’s give them additional assistance. As the President said) no one should be left behind," he said.
Go also urged LGUs to monitor evacuation sites and that health protocols are properly followed since Covid-19 has not yet been fully contained in the country.
"Narito pa rin ang Covid-19 at habang wala pang bakuna para dito, patuloy dapat tayong maging alerto at iwasan ang pagkakahawaan (While Covid-19 remains a threat and vaccine is not available, we should be alert and avoid contamination)," he added. (PR)
