The initial “in kind” or non-cash donations to the ongoing relief drive that had been initiated by the House of Representatives through the office of Speaker Martin G. Romualdez for the victims of Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” has reached P26 million.
The Speaker’s office revealed that as of Nov. 1, the value of in-kind donations such as food items, blankets, and toiletries stood at P26,316,409.
“Many thanks to all who helped in our relief drive. We need all the help that we can get. We have already reached many affected families nationwide and we vow to bring the remaining aid to the affected families as soon as possible,” said Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st District.
Meanwhile, cash donations and pledges for the relief drive have already reached P49.2 million.
This means that the cash and initial in-kind donations have hit over P75 million as of last Tuesday.
The fund drive was led by Speaker Romualdez; his wife, House committee on accounts chairperson and Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez; House committee on appropriations chairman Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose M. Dalipe, and other House leaders.
In partnership with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Romualdez earlier said that beneficiaries of the relief mission will also receive aid from the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
For days now, Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City has served as a central sorting and repacking station for truckloads of relief goods for the storm victims.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Senate committee on finance, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, said they are open to adjusting the P30 billion calamity fund in the proposed P5.268 trillion national budget for 2023.
He said this would make next year’s budget more responsive to future disasters and calamities.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the 2023 national budget will definitely have to be “reconsidered, reviewed and adjusted” in response not only to the damage brought by Paeng but also in response to the recent earthquake in Abra.
“We need to fix our fragmented disaster management efforts and adopt a whole-of-government approach,” he said.
The calamity fund budget, Angara said, is roughly P30 billion, which is larger than in past years.
Given the increased frequency and magnitude of recent typhoons, he said, this was considered appropriate.
“Certainly, the committee will always be open to changes which may help our people during these difficult times and which will improve the government’s response to these calamities,” Angara said.
The finance committee chairman said he intends to file the committee report on the 2023 General Appropriations Bill Tuesday, Nov. 8, and sponsor it in the Senate’s plenary session in the afternoon.
The senators are expected to hold marathon deliberations on the proposed 2023 budget next week as they aim to pass it before the end of November.
Also on Wednesday, Senator Christopher Go renewed his call for the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience and the construction of mandatory evacuation centers in every town, city, and province following the devastation brought about by Tropical Storm Paeng and other recent disasters.
“As we commiserate with those who have lost lives, let us do our best to ensure we can save more lives now and protect more lives in the future,” Go said.
