The Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) urged local government units (LGUs) in the region to fully utilize their disaster funds, particularly the portion allocated for preparedness and resilience.
CDRRMC Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense–Cordillera (OCD-CAR) Regional Director Albert Mogol appealed, given that July is Disaster Resilience Month.
He pointed out that data from the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) show that many LGUs are not using their disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) funds.
The apparent reluctance to invest in disaster preparedness is taking place despite the Cordillera region having consolidated DRRM funds of P837 million this year.
“Based on our data provided by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) in the Cordillera, LGUs often say they don’t have funds, but the truth is they do— they’re just not using them,” Mogol said in a mixture of Filipino and English.
“Across the region, we have a low disbursement rate,” he lamented
Under the law, 70 percent of the DRRM fund is designated for preparedness and resilience efforts such as training, hazard mitigation, and procurement of equipment, while 30 percent is allocated as the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for emergency needs during disasters.
