Drilon’s PDAF utilization from 2010-2013 totals P293-M

MANILA-Even if Senate President Franklin M. Drilon has been criticized for receiving additional funds under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) data show that Drilon has been prudent in his use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) since he came back to the Senate in 2010.

According to the DBM website (www.dbm.gov.ph), a total of P293 million worth of projects has been released to the Senate Chief, way below the P600 million he was supposed to avail from the DBM from the years 2010 to 2013. Senators are entitled to P200 million PDAF a year.

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, I am releasing all my PDAF availments since 2010. I had no PDAF releases during previous years. I was not given a single peso in 2005 and 2006,” he said. “These can be accessed through the website of the Department of Budget and Management.”

“The DBM, all along, has been publishing data on the PDAF allocation of all members of Congress in its website. The DBM data show that I have not fully availed the PDAF allotted to me from 2010 to 2013. In fact, I have only utilized 48.83 percent of the PDAF allotted to me for projects from 2010 to 2013,” emphasized Drilon.    

He stressed, “What is more important here is that the record shows that no single centavo of the PDAF allotted to me as a senator went to bogus non-government organizations.”

The biggest amount of the PDAF allocated to Drilon, amounting P153.35 million, was spent for various infrastructure programs which was directly implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Contrary to claims of my detractors, the budget I requested under the PDAF for the construction of priority infrastructure was managed by the DPWH. I had no hand in the actual project implementation and in choosing the contractors. That is a job of the DPWH,” pointed out Drilon.

The amount includes the P32.5 million to fund his school building program nationwide which was coursed through the Filipino Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a recognized non-government organization under the General Appropriations Act, he noted.

“The Filipino Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a recognized non-government organization and definitely, it’s not fake. It has been my partner since 2002 and to date, we were able to build about 1,600 classrooms nationwide which helped in the government’s effort to close the problem on classroom shortages,” emphasized Drilon. 

The senator likewise spent P81.65 million for the medical assistance needs of indigent families nationwide coursed through the Department of Health-attached hospitals.

In 2013, Drilon allotted P1.5 million to the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center. Last year, he allocated P79 million for financial assistance indigent patients seeking treatment at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (P42.5 million), University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (P21 million), Philippine Heart Center (P7.5 million), Western Visayas Regional Hospital (P3 million), Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (P2 million), Philippine Children’s Medical Center (P2 million), West Visayas State University Medical Center (P1.15 million), and Bicol Medical Center (P500,000).

Aside from the P21 million allotted to the PGH for medical assistance to indigent patients, Drilon also allocated P50 million to PGH charged against his 2010 PDAF for the upgrading and renovation of the dilapidated operating rooms, including acquisition of medical equipment.

Likewise, Drilon assigned additional P5 million to the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) charged against his 2012 PDAF for the renovation of a dilapidated PHC Cardiovascular Sciences Division to provide a better health service.

In 2011, Drilon allotted P500,000 for the construction of a rural health center in San Jose, Camarines Sur.

On the DAP allocation, Drilon said he will await the DBM to comply with the instruction of the President for it to disclose fund allocation under DAP.

“The DBM will publish the DAP allocation like what it has been doing in the case of the PDAF. All allocations made under DAP will be made available by the DBM including those requested by lawmakers,” he said.

Drilon said a big chunk of fund releases under DAP that he requested from the DBM were used for infrastructure projects in Iloilo which is seeking to host the Asia Pacific Economic Conference ministerial meeting in 2015.

“I can account for every peso that was allotted to me under the PDAF or DAP. I do not have a history of malfeasance and misuse of government funds. I am sure that that not a single centavo was channeled to bogus non-government,” he said.

Table. Summary of PDAF Allocation of Drilon (2010-2013)

Items of Expenditure	2013	2012	2011	2010	2010-2013
Nationwide School Building Program		32,500,000			32,500,000
Infrastructure	41,000,000	61,850,000	18,000,000		120,850,000
Financial Assistance to Indigent Patients in Government Hospitals	1,500,000	79,650,000	500,000		81,650,000
Social Services (DSWD)	2,000,000		1,000,000		3,000,000
Renovation of Phil. Heart Center and PGH		5,000,000		50,000,000	55,000,000
Total	44,500,000	179,000,000	19,500,000	50,000,000	293,000,000

Note: To access data on Drilon’s PDAF, follow this link:

http://pdaf.dbm.gov.ph/index.php?r=Site/Upperhouse_breakdown/legislatorId/475/fy/2010

Message of Senator Loren Legarda (Author of RA 9849, Act Declaring Eidul Adha a National Holiday)

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda, author of Republic Act 9849 also known as the Act Declaring Eidul Adha a National Holiday, today shared in the celebration of Eidul Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.

“As we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating the Eidul Adha, let us look at this occasion more than just another holiday to enjoy. Let us reflect on the lessons that this feast signifies—a strong faith and the willingness to surrender to the will of God. 

“May this Feast of Sacrifice continue to guide our Muslim brothers and sisters in leading fruitful lives and strengthen their dedication in contributing to the development of their communities and our nation as a whole.

“I wish all Muslims a meaningful celebration of Eidul Adha.”

SEN. JINGGOY ESTRADA AND MISS WORLD 2013 MEGAN YOUNG

MISS WORLD 2013. Ms. Megan Lynne Young, who was crowned Miss World 2013, pays a courtesy call to Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Monday.  Young is the first Filipina and Southeast Asian to win the title in its 63-year history. Sen. Estrada filed the Proposed Senate Resolution 285 congratulating and commending Ms. Young for winning the said pageant in Bali, Indonesia and for bringing pride, inspiration, optimism and fortitude to her countrymen. 

Legarda: Include Persons with Disabilities in Disaster Resilience Efforts

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today called for the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the country’s disaster risk reduction programs.

In a privilege speech, Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that, “We must continue to know more about the needs of persons living with disabilities. We must know more about their challenges and about their abilities to cope and to take part in disaster risk reduction efforts.”

The Senator said that the 2013 International Day for Disaster Reduction, which was celebrated on October 13, highlighted the importance of involving PWDs in efforts to reduce risk and build resilient communities.

As part of the celebration, the United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) conducted a survey among persons with disabilities. The survey revealed that 86% of PWDs have never participated in disaster risk reduction (DRR) planning; 73% do not have any personal disaster protection plan; while only 27.5% feel that their needs are addressed in local and community DRR plans.

Legarda, the UNISDR Champion for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction for Asia-Pacific, said that with the unabated rise in disaster losses, about 18-fold increase in economic losses since the 1970s, all sectors of society must come together now and respond as one against disaster risk.

“Congress has done its crucial work:  New laws on disaster risk reduction and climate change. Yet much remains to be done to realize the benefits these laws ought to bring, especially to the poor and the vulnerable who are most in need of help and protection against disasters and most deserving of participation in resilience building. The persons with disabilities are among them,” said Legarda.

“We must engage the persons with disabilities in reducing disaster risk. Although they are more likely to lose their lives or be injured than any other person, their disability does not mean inability. We must engage them in assessing vulnerabilities, and in establishing effective early warning systems in the communities, together with civil society groups concerned,” she added.

Drilon: DAP creation based on the President's power to realign funds

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon clarified today/Oct. 13 that the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) is completely different from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and its creation was made in accordance with the constitutional power of the President to realign funds in order to meet the government's spending target.  

"DAP is based on the President's constitutional power to realign funds. The same power is also granted to the Chief Justice, and heads of all Constitutional and Fiscal Autonomy Group (CFAG)," emphasized Drilon.  

CFAG includes the Judiciary, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Commission on Elections and the Office of the Ombudsman.   

"This power to realign funds has been exercised by all past presidents, chief justices, Comelec chairmen, etc. The funds are not realigned to the legislature, but from one budget item to another in the same branch," pointed out Drilon.

"What is prohibited is transfer of funds from one branch of government to another."    

He cited, for instance, the decision of the Judiciary in 2012 to realign funds derived from the savings from a number of unorganized courts. The savings was utilized for the construction of Manila Hall of Justice.  

Drilon said that DAP should not be treated and viewed as another form of PDAF as they are two entirely different matters, and DAP has been created to improve the pace of government spending.   

"Unlike the PDAF which has been a regular item in the General Appropriations Act, DAP is a program to accelerate government spending which was needed then, especially during the fiscal year 2011, to meet our growth domestic product targets to expand the economy," added Drilon.  

"Funds released under DAP were not budgetary insertions. DAP is a program, not a fund," he added.  

In late 2011, he recalled, economic growth was only at 3.6 percent, way below the projected 6-6.5 percent growth. This prompted the government to expedite spending through the implementation of the DAP. As a result of an improved spending, the country's GDP jumped to 6.8 percent in 2012.   

"DAP is valid and legal. What is crucial here is the proper use of funds," emphasized Drilon.  

Drilon reiterated that DAP allocation is not cold cash and but was merely a list of infrastructure projects recommended by legislators and local government officials to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways.  

"We were only asked to list down a number of projects which were immediately implementable at that time in order to accelerate government spending and boost the economy," Drilon explained.  

In his case, Drilon said, he used his P100 million DAP funds to the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center. 

Jinggoy confident of Manila’s turnabout under Mayor Erap

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada expressed confidence today that his father, former President and now Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada will deliver a complete turnabout of the country’s capital from a decaying city into a progressive, dynamic metropolis.

 

This developed as Mayor Estrada recently marked his first 100 days in office since his inauguration on June 30, 2013.

 

Sen. Estrada cited that in just a short time, Manileños have witnessed how serious his father is in rebuilding and restoring the glory of Manila amid problems of bankruptcy, high criminality rate, massive flooding, demoralized employees, unsettled debts, soaring unemployment rate, among many others.

 

“Sa unang araw niya bilang mayor, ipinakita niya na talagang lilinisin niya ang Maynila. Nagwalis pa siya sa Quiapo. Nakikita mo, siya mismo ang nagta-traffic sa gitna ng kalsada. Pumunta rin siya kamakailan sa Japan upang hingin ang kanilang tulong sa pagsasaayos at paglilinis ng drainage system ng lungsod,” Jinggoy said as he joined his father last Thursday in his 100th Day Report held in Manila Hotel.

 

In his report, Mayor Estrada related his administration’s efforts in transforming the City of Manila into a premier city, including institution of order through effective law enforcement, regulation of mass transportation, and launch of public-private partnerships in various projects.

 

Jinggoy said that the people could expect more reforms and positive changes throughout the city during his father's mayorship. Moreover, the lawmaker called on to the people of Manila to support the programs of their government and to do their share by following the laws and regulations.

 

“Hindi po magtatagumpay si Mayor Erap sa pagbabagong-bihis ng Maynila kung hindi makikiisa ang mga mamamayan nito. Kaya naman para maging posible at mas mabilis ang pagbangon ng ating kabiserang lungsod, nawa ay makibahagi ang lahat sa pagsasaayos at pagpapaganda ng Maynila,” Jinggoy asserted. 

 

The younger Estrada also noted that if Mayor Erap succeeded in turning then municipality of San Juan into a highly urbanized city, there is no reason why he cannot accomplish the same in Manila. Erap served as mayor of San Juan for 17 years.

Legarda Launches First Philippine Resilience Awards

MANILA-In celebration of the 2013 International Day for Disaster Reduction, Senator Loren Legarda today announced the start of the search for the Philippines’ disaster-resilient communities.

Legarda, the United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, said that the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the Senate Committee on Climate Change, together with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), are now accepting entries for the first Philippine Resilience Awards.

“In our continuing quest to build a safe nation, we must look at exemplary efforts so that we may enjoin other communities to strengthen their resilience as well. We want to show our local government units (LGUs) that it can be done—we can fight climate change and we can save our communities from the threats of natural hazards,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

“The Philippine Resilience Awards will recognize communities that have excelled in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation through compliance with various related laws, such as the Solid Waste Management Act, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act and the Climate Change Act, successfully implemented effective land-use planning and made necessary investments to reduce disaster risks,” she added.

Applicants for the Philippine Resilience Awards 2014 should be LGUs that must meet a set of criteria, foremost of which is adherence to the “Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready!” campaign.

Participant LGUs must also submit to UNISDR their Local HFA: Local Government Self Assessment Report, which measures the progress of communities toward meeting the objectives of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), which is the global framework to reduce disaster risks.

The winner will be recognized as a Role Model for Resilience, will receive a seedling bank from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and will be featured in UNISDR publications.

“Aside from the recognition, the award gives the winner that important role of engaging other leaders in disaster risk reduction efforts at future events,” said Legarda.

“I also wish to call on other nations to create their own Resilience Awards. Our ultimate goal is to have a safe planet and we need to work double time to ensure this. The Philippine Resilience Awards will be an effective tool to encourage governments and communities that it is possible to achieve zero casualty and minimize losses when natural hazards occur because there are ways to build our defenses against the effects of disasters and climate change,” Legarda stressed.

The award will be presented on October 13, 2014, during the celebration for the 2014 International Day for Disaster Reduction.

PRO3’s THANKSGIVING MASS AND FREE ANTI -PNEUMONIA VACCINATION

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga-  A thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev Fr Jerry Orbos was celebrated at the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel, Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga on October 12, 2013.

         

          Said mass was offered by PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA to thank God and to ask for continuous blessings not just for Police Regional Office 3 but for its entire members as well.

           

          Coinciding with the Thanksgiving mass is a free anti- Pneumonia lecture and vaccination sponsored by the NHQ- PNP Officers Ladies’ Club headed by Mrs Jojie Rojas and PRO3 Officers Ladies’ Club headed by Mrs Ceny Gunnacao in coordination with SANOFI Pharmaceuticals and PNP Health Service 3 given to uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of PRO3 held at the PRO3 Multi-purpose Hall also in Camp Olivas.

         

Senate determined to abolish PDAF, says Drilon

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today/Oct. 12 said that insofar as the Senate is concerned, the senators will exercise all options available to them to dissolve the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) even in the absence of a Supreme Court ruling declaring it unconstitutional.

“Under my watch as Senate President, reforms will start with the immediate abolition of PDAF allocation for senators in the proposed 2014 national budget,” said Drilon.

While an actual vote has yet to be officially taken, the Senate chief said that a majority of the senators have publicly declared that they will do away with the PDAF allocations in 2014 in response to the people cry for change.

“There is no turning back as far as the pork barrel system is concerned. We have to institute these reforms in order to regain our people’s trust and confidence,” stressed Drilon.

Drilon issued the statement in response to Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio’s opinion that only an act of Congress or a Supreme Court ruling can abolish the PDAF.

He said there are available remedies to the Executive and the Congress to get rid of the pork barrel.

“We do not need a special law to abolish PDAF as an item in the General Appropriations Act. Aside from a court ruling that will declare the PDAF unconstitutional, the Executive or the Congress may exercise other options to abolish congressional pork barrel to respond to the clamor of the people,” said Drilon.

First, the President may opt not to include the PDAF item in the National Expenditures Program when he submits it to Congress on an annual basis. Second, the Congress may delete the PDAF item in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), an option which the Senate intends to do when the 2014 proposed national budget reaches the Senate.

Third, if Congress passes the national budget with PDAF, the President can exercise power of line item veto. Lastly, the President can fully or partially impound release of any item in the GAA, including PDAF.

Meanwhile, Drilon said the Senate will prioritize the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill, which is crucial in the fight against corruption, when the Senate resumes its session on Monday.

“We will begin the period of interpellations on the proposed legislation this week, so that it will be approved by the end of the year,” he said. 

Jinggoy wants creation of BOSS centers for small, medium enterprises

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada seeks to create BOSS Centers or business one-stop shop centers which shall cater to the needs of the small and medium enterprises from registration up to their operations.

 

Under the Senate Bill 1593, also the Business One-Stop Shop Center Act of 2013, the BOSS Centers will be established in all regional and provincial centers throughout the country and will be under the supervision of Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) Council.

 

Sen. Estrada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, notes that SMEs are drivers of employment generation.

 

2011 data from the Department of Trade and Industry show that 61% of the total jobs generated by all types of business establishments for that year were contributed by the micro, small and medium scale enterprises. A total of 3,872,406 jobs were generated in 2011 by the MSMEs.

 

“Recognizing the potency of the small and medium enterprises on providing employment and livelihood to the people, it is only reasonable to further support this sector and lay out simpler, trouble-free procedures for setting up businesses, especially for prospective ‘bosses’ of their own companies,” Jinggoy states.

 

The lawmaker also points out the recent spike in the number of unemployed as indicated by an independent survey by the Social Weather Stations. SWS said that adult joblessness rate increased during the second quarter of 2013 to 26.1% (estimated 11.2 million Filipinos) compared to 25.4% recorded for the previous quarter.

 

Sen. Estrada, co-author of Republic Act 9501 or the Act to Promote Entrepreneurship by Strengthening Development and Assistance Programs to Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises during the 14^th Congress, specifically pushes for a policy for the establishment of “institutional framework to make economic environment conducive to business by raising government effectiveness in the delivery of services to small and medium enterprises” and “provide the necessary and strategic information and research assistance to expedite the process of business formation and encourage the growth of entrepreneurship.”

 

RA 9501 defines microenterprise as business activities engaged in industry, agribusiness or services with total assets of not more than Php 3,000,000. Small enterprises are those with total assets between Php 3,000,001 and Php 15,000,000; while medium enterprises are those with total assets of at least Php 15,000,001 but not more than Php 100,000,000.

 

BOSS Centers would accept and act on all registration application of SMEs and facilitate the processing of all documentary requirements for the establishment of business enterprise. They shall also provide necessary information and other services related to training, financing, marketing, referrals to SMEs and prospective entrepreneurs.

 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Social Security System (SSS), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the local government units shall detail representatives and officers at each BOSS Center.

 

The Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, headed by Sen. Paulo Benigno Aquino IV, is set to conduct a public hearing on the proposal along with other enterprise development bills on Tuesday, October 22.

Recto wants unjust qualification under law removed Mandatory PhilHealth coverage for entire 6.1 million senior citizens pushed

MANILA-Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto is pushing for the enactment of a bill that would provide mandatory PhilHealth coverage to all senior citizens – without distinction – by removing the limitation under the law that grants the statutory benefit only to those who are considered as indigents.

“I firmly believe that in the case of providing mandatory PhilHealth benefits to our senior citizens, the law should not distinguish. If limitations imposed by law tend to create unjust consequences, then they should be amended,” Recto said in filing Senate Bill No. 712.

He explained that the bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 which provides an array of benefits, privileges and assistance for senior citizens, one of which is the mandatory PhilHealth coverage for “indigent” senior citizens.

Recto said RA 9994 defines “indigent senior citizen” as “any elderly who is frail, sickly, or with disability, and without pension or regular source of income, compensation or financial assistance from his/her relatives to support his/her basic needs, as determined by the DSWD in consultation with the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB).”

The Senate leader said his bill proposes to remove the limitation on the mandatory Philhealth coverage for senior citizens. Under this bill, all senior citizens, whether indigent or not, shall be enrolled under Philhealth.

“The mandatory Philhealth coverage for indigent senior citizens enables them to avail of health services, free from out-of-pocket expenses. However, while this provision is meritorious, it is limited only to indigent senior citizens, most of whom are already under the indigent or sponsored membership of Philhealth,” Recto stated.

“Senior citizens who are not considered as indigents but who cannot afford to enroll themselves under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), are then deprived of the Philhealth benefits.”

Another salient provision of SB 712 is to source the funds needed to ensure the PhilHealth coverage of the country’s 6.1 million senior citizens from the National Health Insurance Fund. 

Under present law, local government units (LGUs) where the indigent senior citizen resides shall allocate the necessary funds to ensure the PhilHealth enrollment of their respective qualified constituents.

“I see no problem in PhilHealth footing the bill of providing coverage to all our senior citizens, especially if its vault is filled with more than P110 billion in retained earnings. I have always maintained that this fund should be used to improve the delivery of health services to the people,” Recto stressed.

“And providing coverage to all our 6.1 million senior citizens is but one way of putting to good use PhilHealth’s stash of retained earnings.”

During last week’s hearing on the proposed 2014 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Recto asked DSWD chairperson Dinky Soliman about her thoughts on the proposed bill.  Soliman is fully supportive of the measure.

Earlier, the Batangas lawmaker questioned the wisdom behind the decision of the PhilHealth board to hike members’ contributions by 100 percent – from P1,200 to P2,400 – without providing any justifications.

He said this was tantamount to an increase in the payroll tax and that PhilHealth should disclose what additional services accompany the increase in annual rates. 

Legarda: Address Housing Woes to Maximize Asia’s Growth Potential

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that governments and citizens of Asia-Pacific should make good use of the region’s growth potentials and start addressing homelessness among Asians.

Legarda echoed the call of Former US Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, who said that Asia-Pacific is steering the world in growth and prosperity, which must be used to eliminate poverty.

In a meeting with Sen. Legarda at the sidelines of Habitat for Humanity Asia Pacific Housing Forum, the former US housing secretary said that an important tool in addressing poverty is ensuring decent shelter for all citizens. Quoting a pastor from the Ebenezer Baptist Church, he said, “The homes you build will last beyond your time. The children will realize a future beyond your time. The creation of a vibrant part of the world by providing opportunities for people and eliminating poverty is a cause beyond your time.”

“I am inspired by Mr. Henry Cisneros’ positive outlook on Asia-Pacific, notwithstanding its many challenges. I share his view that addressing poverty housing, which afflicts 581 million people in Asia Pacific, should be a priority of governments in Asia,” Sen. Legarda said. 

Asia is home to 4.3 billion people.  UN studies estimate that it will be home to 12 of the world’s largest cities by 2020.  UN data show that that many of Asia’s poor live in slums in urban areas. These demographics have led a number of experts to coin the phrase “urbanization of poverty.” 

“The numbers speak for themselves.  More effective housing interventions, urban planning, land use management, and implementation of environmental laws have to be at the forefront of efforts to battle the pervasive housing and poverty issues in the region,” Legarda said.

The Senator cited that the Philippines has a backlog of four million houses, affecting about a fifth of the population.

“It is this fact, together with the increasing urbanization rate, which is projected to account for 70% of Philippine population by 2015, that led me to introduce a measure that will create a Department of Housing and Urban Development,” she explained.

“Mr. Cisneros also highlighted the need to build sustainable homes—those that are climate- and disaster-resilient, so that we can escape the exhausting and costly cycle of rebuilding our communities when extreme weather events occur,” said Legarda.

The Senator has also proposed a National Land Use Act that will create a general long-term framework for proper allocation, use and management of the country’s land and other physical resources, while local government units (LGUs) will have to develop and implement their respective comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs).

Legarda also said that she will look into the proposal of Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, presented during the Asia Pacific Housing Forum, to create a government facility, similar to Singapore’s Drainage Department, that will be primarily responsible for planning and maintaining the public drainage systems.  

“We have a disintegrated and poorly planned drainage system that leads to clogged waterways. This is borne out of a complex web of issues related to poverty housing, poor environmental compliance, and weak urban planning.  We have to improve our drainage systems so that these can effectively convey flood water to the sea and not to the streets and our communities,” the Senator said.

2,300 houses in northern Aurora still have no electricity Manny Galvez

CASIGURAN, Aurora – Some 2,300 households in two municipalities of northern Aurora are still without electricity almost two months since Typhoon Labuyo brought destruction in northeast Luzon.

          Noel Vedad, general manager of the Aurora Electric Cooperative, said the households, which are serviced by the power coop, represent roughly 30% of the 7,938 households which power was cut when strong winds brought by Labuyo toppled 324 electric posts and broke 214 others in this town, Dinalungan and Dilasag and in Dinapigue town in Isabela province.

          The damage was estimated at P10 million.

          Vedad said, however, that they expect power to be restored in Dinalungan and Dilasag by next week.  He said a four-men Aurelco crew has been working on the damaged lines.

          Households in this town, totaling 4,188 have been enjoying 24-hour electricity since last month, along with households in  Barangay Nipoo in Dinalungan. 

          Vedad said the National Electrification Administration released on Thursday P10.7 million to restore the remaining damed power lines.

          Earlier, rural electric cooperatives in Central Luzon formed a task force to help Aurelco restore electricity by rehabilitating the 538 damaged poles in the three northern towns.

          The RECs, which belong to the Central Luzon Electric Cooperatives Association (CLECA),  created “Task Force Labuyo” composed of 60 foremen and linemen equipped with 11 boom trucks who were dispatched to the northern Aurora towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag, also known as the Dicadi area. 

          The Dicadi area was one of those hardest-hit by Labuyo which left in its wake three persons dead and over P500 million worth of properties, infrastructure and crops destroyed. It also affected 12,000 families in the province alone.

For days, the Dicadi towns were isolated due to landslides, the overflowing of rivers and toppled communication lines.

          REC executives, led by National Association of Geneneral Managers of Electric Cooperatives (NAGMEC)-Region 3 and Pampanga Electric Cooperative, Inc.-1 (PELCO1) provided the services for free while Aurelco shouldered the food and shelter to the task force personnel. – Manny Galvez