Duterte approves billion-peso augmentation fund for typhoon-hit LGUs

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday approved the release of P1.5 billion in augmentation funds to local government units (LGUs) hit hard by Typhoon Ulysses.

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said this was separate from the P1.5 billion augmentation fund given to CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Bicol, the regions ravaged by Typhoons Quinta and Rolly.

“Katulad din po sa Typhoon Quinta and Rolly, aside from the P1.5 billion, meron din pong buffer na P500 million para po kung meron pang mga LGU na hindi naisama sa report, mabibigyan din po sila,” he said, referring to areas affected by Ulysses.

Duterte ordered Avisado to release the funds to the LGUs.

“If the papers have been released already pending my signature, you can release. I will sign it now,” he said.

On Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the additional funds would go to the following areas:

• Bulacan
• Cagayan
• Isabela
• Pampanga
• Nueva Ecija
• Camarines Sur
• Quezon
• Albay
• Rizal
• Quirino
• Laguna

ADVERTISEMENT

• Camarines Norte
• Pangasinan
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Tarlac
• Aurora
• Cavite
• Ilocos Norte
• Quezon
• Batangas
• Sorsogon
• Marikina
• Manila
• Bataan
• Masbate

"Lahat ay pantay-pantay, lahat ay mabibigyan, kaalyado man o hindi, bumoto man o hindi," Roque said at a news conference.

Avisado said the money can be released by the Bureau of Treasury immediately on Tuesday.

Ulysses claimed 73 lives and displaced millions of others, according to the national disaster management council. --BAP, GMA News