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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 22) – The House of Representatives will push for an increase of at least $ 5 billion in catastrophe funding under the 2021 budget to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of areas hit by the typhoon, its leadership said Sunday.
In a statement, spokesman Lord Allan Velasco said the House will propose the increase in the allocation during the bicameral conference on the proposed national budget of $ 4.506 trillion that will take place once the Senate approves its own version of the bill. spending law.
Velasco noted that the approval of the budget in the lower house preceded the onslaught of typhoons Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses, which left dozens of deaths and billions in damage.
“Given the tremendous damage caused by these successive strong typhoons, it is imperative that we increase the disaster fund in next year’s spending plan. We have to help our people rebuild their lives and their communities,” Velasco said.
The calamity fund under the proposed budget for 2021 amounts to $ 20 billion. Of the number, $ 5 billion would be allocated for rebuilding the war-torn city of Marawi, while $ 6.25 billion would increase rapid response funding from some government agencies, Velasco said.
“That’s a total of $ 11.25 billion that is specifically allocated, leaving a balance of $ 8.75 billion that President Duterte could use to help victims of calamities and other disasters. That balance is not even enough for rebuild Bicol, which was hit hard by Typhoon Rolly, “argued the Spokesperson, adding that there are sufficient allotments in the proposed budget that could help provide the necessary funds for the disaster.
Duterte previously placed the entire island of Luzon in a state of calamity, in an attempt to accelerate rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts after the typhoons. An interagency working group co-chaired by the Environment and Public Works and Highways departments was also created to expedite the government’s response after the typhoon.
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