Lacson wants targeted aid for Rolly-hit LGUs instead of hiking 2021 NDRRMF

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said local government units in Typhoon Rolly-hit areas shall be targeted and prioritized to receive additional funding from the national government in 2021.

"Instead of increasing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, I intend to realign to Assistance to Local Government Units and Local Government Support Fund," Lacson said in a message.

He added that he will ask the Department of Interior and Local Government to submit the list of the LGU beneficiaries "giving priority to those hit by Rolly, especially those with low local  revenues or 4th to 6th class."

Based on the National Expenditure Program for 2021, P20 billion has been earmarked for the NDRRMF.

Senator Risa Hontiveros has proposed to realign to the relief and rehabilitation efforts some of the P16-billion anti-insurgency barangay development fund under the proposed 2021 budget of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

"Ngayong panahon ng sakuna, ‘di hamak na mas kailangan ng mga kababayan natin sa Bicolandia at sa iba pang mga lugar na nasalanta ng bagyo ang milyon-milyong pondo ng pamahalaan. It is clear that the billions earmarked for NTF-ELCAC would be better spent on helping Filipinos battered by the typhoon get back on their feet," she said.

Lacson, however, said the realignment does not necessarily need to come from the NTF-ELCAC's budget. He said he is still identifying possible sources of amendments in the budget bill.

The senator previously said the task force's budget is justifiable.

The Finance Committee is studying the possibility of increasing the calamity funds for 2021, according to Senator Sonny Angara. -MDM, GMA News