House adopts reso targeted at helping Taal victims during Batangas session

The House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted two resolutions targeted at helping individuals and communities affected by the recent eruption of Taal Volcano in their relief, rehabilitation, livelihood and development.

The chamber adopted House Resolutions 655 and 622 during its out-of-town session at the Batangas City Convention Center, the site of one of the largest evacuation centers in the province.

House Resolution 655 urges the immediate release of funds for the aid relief, resettlement, rehabilitation, livelihood, development and social programs and services to communities adversely affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

Meanwhile, House Resolution 662 expresses the support and commitment of the chamber to work with all the concerned agencies to pass the proposed supplemental budget to expedite effective and responsive assistance to those affected by the calamity.

Under the 2020 national budget, a total of P16 billion has been allocated for calamity funds.

However, such amount is already divided for various purposes, including P3.5 billion for Marawi rehabilitation and P5 billion for the reconstruction of around 50,000 houses destroyed by the twin earthquakes that rocked parts of Mindanao last year.

Around P7 billion may still be used for other purposes.

"The national government should hasten the release of funds intended for development and social programs and services to assist the affected individuals or families and the localities in returning to normalcy," read House Resolution 655.

Aside from the use of the calamity funds, President Rodrigo Duterte has also recently asked Congress to pass a supplemental budget to augment the funds needed to aid areas affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.

While the House leadership has already given their support to the call of the President, it also intimated through House Resolution 662 its willingness to coordinate with government agencies concerned to come up with the needed funds.

"The House of Representatives is willing to participate in necessary efforts to alleviate the suffering of our countrymen and ultimately restore normalcy to the affected regions," the resolution read.

"The House of Representatives expresses its support and commitment to work with
all the concerned agencies to pass the proposed supplemental budget to expedite effective and responsive to those affected by the Taal Volcano eruption," it added.

During the House's out-of-town session this afternoon, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano assured those affected by the Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas that the chamber is ready to listen to their plight despite the danger they are getting themselves into in holding session in the province.

"Love God above everything and everyone with all our hearts, spirit, and mind, and love others as we love ourselves. We are here to show Batangas, including Cavite and Laguna, that show that we love you as we love ourselves," Cayetano said.

"Yes, there is a risk of being here, but you are facing that risk every single day. So, what is one day for your National Congress, the House of the People, to be here with you to listen and to hear so that we may legislate effectively?" he added. — MDM, GMA News