Recto bats for bigger ‘DAP’ funds in ’14

MANILA-Saying that disaster relief funds in the proposed 2014 national budget are not enough to finance the reconstruction of areas hit by the string of man-made and natural calamities, Sen. Recto today called for adjustments in next year’s budget to accommodate rebuilding work.

“There’s certainly a need for bigger DAP - or Disaster Aid Projects - funds,” the Senate President Pro Tempore said. “This is the kind of DAP that we need.”

Recto said the proposed P7.5 billion 2014 allocation of the Calamity Fund might not be enough to underwrite reconstruction work in a “country which seems to be hit recently by every tragedy in the catalogue of calamities.”

“In the past 30 days alone, this country was hit by a 7.2 magnitude quake, a typhoon that left P3.2 billion in damages, and a failed insurgent takeover of a major city which razed 10,160 homes to the ground,” Recto said.

Recto was referring to Tuesday’s tremor which toppled churches and buildings in Central Visayas, Typhoon “Santi” which displaced a million people in 76 towns and 9 cities in Luzon, and last month’s attempt by rebel leader Nur Misuari to wrest control of Zamboaga City from the government.

“The result is that we need to help towns from Argao (Cebu) to Zamboanga to get back on their feet fast,” Recto said.

He said the proposed Calamity Fund allocation in the 2014 national budget is not enough to bankroll the repair or replacement of damaged public infrastructure.

“If we count the help which owners of burned houses in Zamboanga, or Santi-hit farmers in Pampanga, or small Bol-anon businessmen whose stores were destroyed will be needing, the total bill is way above the resources at hand,” Recto said.

He said disasters have become a “major macroeconomic assumption of the budget” and “it will be unwise to ignore their impact in crafting the national budget.”

“If the budget is ballyhooed to be based on needs, then the earthquake in the Visayas and other expenditure-causing calamities must be factored in.  We cannot be faithful to the bottom-up budgeting concept if we ignore the tragedies on the ground,” he said.

Recto said Malacanang and Congress should start “tweaking” the proposed 2014 budget to create “budget space” for calamity relief work.

He said the total DPWH budget for 2014 for Central Visayas, to which Cebu and Bohol belong, is a measly P5.1 billion and “any two-bit carpenter would tell you that this is not enough to repair the public works the earthquake has damaged.”

As to the reconstruction of heritage church buildings, the total budget of the National Commission on Culture and Arts for 2014 at P360 million might not be enough to repair “even the facades of the collapsed Baclayon, Loboc and Dauis churches in Bohol,” Recto said.          

He said Malacanang and Congress should jointly study the option of earmarking funds for the reconstruction of areas placed this year under a state of calamity.

“We can increase the Calamity Fund, or create a fund in the DPWH dedicated exclusively for disaster relief, or even introduce a section in the Unprogrammed Fund which would qualify disaster relief as among the activities which can be funded by excess revenues, new loans or savings,” Recto said.

“We can even rechannel the dismantled PDAF to disaster work.  If we do this, then pork barrel will end up as rebuilding material,” Recto said.

Typhoon-hit NE placed under state of calamity; solon calls for release of funds for rehab

ALIAGA, Nueva Ecija – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Monday afternoon passed a resolution placing the entire province under a state of calamity amid the devastation brought by supertyphoon “Santi” even as a neophyte lawmaker called on the national government to immediately release funds to speed up rehabilitation efforts.

          Gov. Aurelio Umali said the SP presided over by Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos made the declaration to enable the provincial government to allocate calamity funds for the affected areas.

          Dr. Abraham Pascua, chairman of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the provincial government has initially earmarked P44 million sourced from its savings for the affected families. 

          At the House of Representatives, first district Rep. Estrellita Suansing appealed to the Aquino administration.

          In a privilege speech, Suansing said Santi caused untold devastation to communities in the province, considered the country’s rice granary. Quoting figures from the Central Luzon Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, an estimated P2.89 billion worth of properties and agriculture was devastated by Santi.

          “As I speak today, the municipalities of Talavera, Zaragoza, Sto. Domingo, Aliaga, Guimba, Licab and Quezon in our province care without electricity. The roads remain impassable due to fallen trees blocking the way,” she said.

          She added that the “saddest part of all” is that Santi left in its wake families who are “hungry, homeless and with a feeling of helplessness,” she said.      

          Suansing said if the national government will not extend aid to the province, it would be irreparably damaged.”

          Pascua said an initial damage assessment made by the PDRRMC placed the damage at P2.7 billion in the province alone. He said, however, that they are still validating reports of damage coming from the 27 towns and five cities.

          In Cabanatuan City, the province’s commercial and trade center - fallen trees and broken and toppled poles continue to litter the roads with local energy officials estimating power to be restored after a month.

          In Palayan City, Mayor Adrianne Cuevas said damage was initially placed at P120 million as strong winds destroyed crops and infrastructure, including a brand-new gymnasium whose entire roof was detached.

           Many places in the province looked like wastelands, with tree trunks lying on both sides of the highway.

          Even shopping malls and department stores in Cabanatuan have no electricity, including NE Crossing where a generator reportedly burst due to overloading. (Manny Galvez)

   

Pampanga INC deacon, 3 others slain in CL violence

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – An Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) deacon and three other persons were killed in separate violent incidents in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Zambales over the weekend, authorities here reported yesterday.

Police identified the victims as Benedict Balajadia, 34, a businessman and INC deacon, of Barangay San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga, Renante Codera, 38, of Jaen, Nueva Ecija, Christopher Solis, 43, of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija and Yasir Muslimin, 40, of Masinloc, Zambales.

Balajadia was shot at point blank range by unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects while on his way home past 1 p.m. on board a red Honda TMX with sidecar (9284-RA) along Arayat-Magalang Road, Brgy. Telapayong, Arayat town.

Except for Codera, police said the suspects behind the gunslays of Balajadia, Solis and Muslimin were unidentified.

Codera’s attacker was identified as Eliseo Cruda, 48, of Brgy. Purlod, Jaen, Nueva Ecija, who was arrested by responding cops.

Solis was busy attending to his store, police said, when gunned down by a lone attacker who posed as customer. The victim died of lone gunshot wound in the head.

Muslimin was shot dead in front of his residence at Sitio Balogo Highway, Brgy. Inhobol, Masinloc, Zambales by unidentified armed men believed to be communist rebels.

Police said all the incidents are under investigation by authorities in respective areas to determine the motive behind the killings. (Jess Malabanan)

Legarda: Remain Vigilant, Take Safety Precautions Amid 7.2 Earthquake in Visayas

MANILA-Amid the strong earthquake that hit the Visayas area, Senator Loren Legarda today called on affected communities to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks and other effects of the temblor.

On Tuesday morning, The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Carmen, Bohol and affected nearby towns and provinces. The NDRRMC is still assessing the damages, casualties and other effects of the earthquake.

“This is a very unfortunate incident. Initial reports say that at least four people were killed and we hope there are no more fatalities. The strong temblor and its effects may have caused fear among our citizens and it is important that we keep our people aware of what they must do to be safe from the possible after effects,” said Legarda.

“It is also unfortunate that many structures have collapsed, including historical churches that are centuries old. As several critical structures have been damaged, tourism in the region will likely be affected. Amid this disaster, we are reminded that the increasing frequency and magnitude of earthquakes highlight the need for early action,” she added.

The Senator also reiterated her call for preparedness against earthquakes in all parts of the country as a temblor of the same magnitude can happen any time.

“According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the Marikina Valley Fault Line is ripe for movement but no one can predict the exact time when it will move. This makes preparedness for such eventuality even more important,” she said.

Legarda said that the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2004 revealed that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila would cause the destruction of 40% of the residential buildings, damage 35% of all public buildings, kill 34,000 people, injure 114,000 individuals, and the ensuing fires will also result in 18,000 additional fatalities.

“The study also contains priority actions that should have been undertaken 3-6 years after the study was publicized to reduce the impacts of such a strong tremor,” she pointed out.

Among the priority steps that must be undertaken include the promotion of disaster-resilient urban development; ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and critical infrastructure; formulating emergency supply system of water, food and other necessities; and determining open spaces for safe refuge when tremors occur.

“Earthquakes turn into major disasters due to unsafe structures—poorly built structures, buildings in inappropriate places, inadequate design and materials specification, and shortcuts in construction. Inspection during the construction of both public and private infrastructure is important. The additional expense required for making structures safe from earthquakes is worth it especially if it would save thousands of precious lives,” she stressed.

Legarda said that the government must ensure that all structures, especially bridges, school buildings and hospitals, are earthquake-proof through the conduct of a nationwide structural evaluation and by retrofitting these structures to allow them to withstand destructive earthquakes.

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.