P700M aid released for water systems, evacuation centers — DILG

A total of P700 million in financial aid was released to 44 local government units (LGUs) for water supply and evacuation center projects, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the DILG said 35 of the 44 LGUs received P13.33 million each for the development of water supply systems and sanitation projects. 

They were selected based on low income classification, the presence of existing municipality-managed water utilities, available water sources, and their preparation of a Municipal Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Master Plan (MWSSMP), the DILG said.

Nine other LGUs received P25.92 million each for the establishment of climate-smart evacuation centers.

GMA Integrated News has requested the names of the 44 beneficiary LGUs from the DILG. 

These LGUs were prioritized due to their vulnerability to disasters, lack of permanent evacuation facilities, and high poverty incidence, according to the DILG.

The DILG and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) signed a joint memorandum circular for the guidelines of the Local Government Support Fund – Support and Assistance to Participatory Budgeting (LGSF-SAFPB) for this fiscal year.

DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan and DBM Undersecretary Willford Will Ong led the distribution of checks to the 44 beneficiary LGUs. — Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News