Kiko Pangilinan seeks P15-B additional funding for Mindanao earthquake response

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has filed a bill seeking an additional funding of P15 billion to support relief and rehabilitation efforts in the areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani in Mindanao on Monday.

“This bill seeks to appropriate Fifteen Billion Pesos as supplemental funding to augment the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRMFF) for relief, recovery, rehabilitation, repair, and reconstruction efforts in areas affected,” Senate Bill No. 2259 read.

“This supplemental budget will support the restoration of schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, irrigation systems, power and transport facilities, housing, and local government infrastructure. It will likewise provide assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and other sectors whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by the disaster,” the bill added.

There were 38 individuals who reportedly died, while four individuals remain missing after the tremor heavily affected Davao Region and SOCCKSARGEN.

The Office of Civil Defense said that over P500 million worth of infrastructure damage was recorded in Davao Region and SOCCKSARGEN.

Pangilinan said the fund will augment the current budget of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to address the needs of the affected areas in Mindanao.

According to the proposed measure, the allocation will be as follows: P2 billion for the Department of Agriculture (P1 billion each for the National Irrigation Administration and the assistance for farmers and fisherfolk), P2 billion for the Department of Education, P1.5 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development, P500 million for the Department of Energy, and P1 billion for state universities and colleges.

There will also be additional funding amounting to P1.5 billion for the Department of Health, P1 billion for the DOH and concerned local government units (for rural, district, and provincial hospitals), P1 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways, P2 billion for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the National Housing Authority, P500 million for the Department of Transportation, P2 billion for affected localities.

“Ang prayoridad natin sa gitna ng sakunang ito ay ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan sa Mindanao—na sila ay maging ligtas, magkaroon ng sapat na tulong mula sa gobyerno, at nawa’y makabalik muli sa kanilang normal na buhay at hanapbuhay sa pinaka-madaling panahon,” the lawmaker said.

(Our priority in the midst of this disaster is the welfare of our fellow citizens in Mindanao—that they remain safe, receive sufficient government aid, and hopefully return to their normal lives and livelihoods at the soonest possible time.)

“Higit pa sa agarang tulong na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan sa Mindanao ngayon, kailangan din nila ng matagalang suporta mula sa gobyerno para muli silang makabangon mula sa trahedyang ito,” the senator added.

(Beyond the immediate assistance our countrymen in Mindanao need right now, they also require long-term support from the government so they can fully recover from this tragedy.)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to visit Mindanao to inspect the areas affected by the earthquake, the Palace said. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News