DBM: P3B released since 2013 for post-earthquake rehab in Bohol, Cebu

A total of P3.07 billion in government funds has been released for rehabilitation and recovery after earthquakes hit Bohol and Cebu in 2013, Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said Thursday.

Abad disclosed this on occasion of the second year after the deadly 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Bohol island.

In a statement, Abad committed that the national government will continue supporting the rehabilitation of infrastructure in Central Visayas areas affected by the quake.

“We acknowledge that disaster preparedness in this case involves two things: building infrastructure that withstands tremors and enhancing the capability of the LGU (local government unit) for economic recovery. This makes the case for continued support,” he said.

Of the total P3.07-billion fund, P556.9 million or 30 percent was allotted to fulfill the government’s commitment to “Build Back Better.”

“Building back better demands that we go beyond simply restoring the areas to their previous states; our goal is to improve the region’s overall quality of infrastructure as well as its resilience to future disasters. Thus, we’ve allocated additional funds for this purpose,” Abad said.

The Budget chief urged LGUs to make the Build Back Better program to be part of their preparedness plans so that public facilities are ready and able to function when disasters strike.

“Reconstruction is very costly and time-consuming. If we prioritize Build Back Better now, we can focus more on addressing economic damage in the aftermath of a disaster. We will be able to promptly assist people who are pushed into poverty as a result of a disaster,” he said.

Aside from the Build Back Better program, P2.46 billion has gone to Bohol and P24.6 million to Cebu for the reconstruction of buildings, public markets, civic centers, barangay facilities, bridges, and water systems.

Additionally, P917,000 was released soon after the disaster to cover pre-restoration work for build heritage in the region. Some P80 million went to the first phase of Bohol rehabilitation and recovery, while P500 million was released to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for restoration work in the two provinces. -NB, GMA News