Salceda: Gov't should spend P20 billion on evacuation center, relocation site water systems

The Marcos administration should earmark at least P20 billion for water systems in evacuation centers and relocation sites under the proposed P5.26 trillion 2023 budget, House Ways and Means panel chairperson Joey Salceda of Albay said.

Salceda called for the funding in response to the Department of Health’s report that there were an increasing number of cholera cases in the country.

There were 976 cholera cases recorded in January to October last year, compared to the 3,729 cases recorded during the same period in 2022. Most were in the Eastern Visayas, Davao, and Caraga Regions.

Furthermore, the number of cases in Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas surpassed the epidemic threshold levels for cholera over the same period.

“This is an unfolding national crisis, and the budget needs to be responsive. I would argue that a large chunk of the P31 billion NDRRM (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) fund in the 2023 budget should go towards water systems in evacuation centers and relocation sites. These systems can also be used year-round by the communities around them,” Salceda said.

“We will target having P20 billion spent for water systems from the national government’s share of the 2023 budget. From the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), ALGUs (Assistance to Local Government Units), NDRRM, and other allocations. That includes possibly increasing the P5.28 billion allocation in the DPWH for water systems.”

Salceda said funding such an initiative should not be a problem, considering that P63 billion of the Assistance to Local Government Units (ALGUs) provision under the proposed P5.26 trillion budget had reached P63 billion.

“The DBM considers the recommendations of members of Congress in funding programs from the Allocations to Local Government Units or ALGUs item while Cholera cases are at an upsurge globally, in part due to floods caused by a changing climate. We are no exception [to that],” said Salceda.

“But cholera is totally avoidable – largely with clean water and proper sewage systems. We are committed to funding more of that during the budget process. Certainly, access to clean water is also a disaster management measure, especially in evacuation centers.”

In addition, Salceda said the House Ways and Means panel would also work with the House Appropriations panel to find ways to fund the initiative.

“Among the items I’m looking at is the 20% earmarked revenues for sustainable development goals from the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators Tax Law, and the same item from the alcohol excise tax law and from vape taxes,” he said.

GMA News Online had sought the Palace's views on the matter, but Malacañang had yet to respond as of posting time. — DVM, GMA Integrated News