Filtered By: Topstories
News

Gordon: No need to craft new law to help victims of Taal eruption


Senator Richard Gordon on Sunday noted there is no need to pass a new law in order to effectively help victims of natural disasters like the eruption of Taal Volcano, as long as government funds for such catastrophes are properly used.

"Hindi naman lahat ng disaster, kailangan ng batas. Ang kailangan lang yung maayos na paggastos ng pera ng gobyerno," Gordon said in a Dobol B sa News TV interview aired on GMA News TV.

"Ang local government meron silang calamity fund, dapat sila mismo ang nag-aayos," he added.

Gordon, who chairs the Philippine Red Cross, said that the organization has already provided various forms of assistance to individuals who were affected by the Taal Volcano eruption, such as water tankers, food trucks, food and non-food items, among others.

He also said that he is in talks with international chapters of Red Cross to provide housing to those who will have no homes to return to.

"Ito, emergency relief pa lang ito. Wala pa yung tinatawag natin na kapag natapos ito, yung rehabilitation, yung bahay na titirahan," Gordon said.

While relief efforts for Taal-affected individuals are ongoing and sufficient, Gordon said there should still be an appropriate government program to manage all these.

"Sapat naman, ang daming tumutulong na tao sa pagkain at sa lahat. Pero sa tingin ko, dapat may programa," he pointed out.

Amid the Taal-related relief efforts, Senator Panfilo Lacson revealed that about P4 billion has been slashed from the proposed P20 billion calamity fund or National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fund for this year.

Gordon said that if there is indeed an anomalous use of the calamity funds, then there should be an inquiry on it.

"Kapag may calamity, ang dapat talagang paggamitan niyan ay rehab na. Dahil ang tao sa Pilipinas, sa buong mundo, tutulong sa pagkain, sa mga pangangailangan. Pero pagdating na doon sa rehab, doon kakapusin," he said.

"Ilang bahay ang nasira? Dapat ngayon pa lang sinisilip na yan. Doon natin ilalagay yun para mabilis makabangon," he added. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT