OCD worries about calamity funds for upcoming typhoons

Typhoon Basyang (Conson) may be leaving the country soon, but disaster management officials are worried over a looming lack of funds to deal with more than 10 cyclones expected to pass through Philippine territory this year. Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) administrator retired general Benito Ramos said Wednesday more than half of their funds for the year were already used. "Meron pa tayong 18 bagyo (We expect 18 more cyclones to pass through the country this year), five to six will (likely) be (destructive)," Ramos said in an interview on dwIZ radio. He said they can only hope President Benigno Aquino III will realign funds for calamity preparedness. "Ang resources kukulangin pero pwede mag-realign ang ating mahal na pangulo (We will lack resources but we hope the president can realign funds)," he said. On Tuesday, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman said they will tap the private sector and local governments for help in dealing with calamities. Soliman said they will need "outside help" as the country prepares to deal with cyclones in the coming months. "There will be more cyclones coming our way this year. We will need help from the private sector and local government units to help us respond to the calamities if our resources are not enough," Soliman said in an interview on dzBB radio. She said that of the DSWD's allotted calamity funds for 2010, more than half has already been used. Citing data reaching her, she said the DSWD was allocated some P333 million in calamity funds but only P146 million has been left. "Meron kasi tayong calamity fund na nilalaan tuwing bagong budget. Ang naka-allocate sa amin P333 million plus, ang natitira is P146 million plus (We have a calamity fund in the budget. Some P333 million had been allocated to us for this year but only P146 million is left now)," she said. Most of the spent funds were for the rehabilitation and early recovery of internally displaced people affected by last year's cyclones including "Ondoy" (Ketsana) and "Pepeng" (Parma). For now, she said the DSWD has pre-positioned relief goods and cash for mobilization in areas that may be affected by Basyang. According to her, all regional offices and Metro Manila have cash between P300,000 and P500,000 each. Relief goods have been packed in our warehouses and are ready for distribution. — LBG, GMANews.TV