P12 billion calamity fund approved by Senate
Posted on October 15th, 2009
The senate approves last Wednesday a P12 billion supplemental budget calamity fund. This would allow the government to better implement its relief and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of Ondoy and Pepeng.
The senators passed joint resolution no. 34 with amendments that included the creation of a joint oversight Congressional committee to monitor the spending of the huge calamity fund.
The P12 billion additional budget will be sourced from the government’s share in the Malampaya natural gas project.
Sen. Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate finance committee, said that the House approved the amendments of the Senate and thus the resolution was deemed approved by Congress. He said that was no need for President Gloria Macapagal to sign the measure since it was a joint resolution of Congress.
“This joint resolution becomes effective upon concurrence by both Houses,†Angara said. “This is going to be a very valuable succor to our suffering people. Almost 1.2 million families or over seven million Filipinos had been adversely affected,†he said.
For his part, Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile said the handling of the money by the National Disaster Coordinating Council will be overseen by a joint oversight committee composed of five members of the Senate and of the House, to dispel suspicion or doubts.
According to the Senate resolution, the committee will get every month a “report of the status, utilization and disbursement of the fund.†Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano proposed the amendment for the creation of the oversight committee.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., however sought the resignation of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as NDCC chief. Pimentel said if Teodoro would be allowed to remain as NDCC chairman overseeing the P12-billion fund, it would mean a virtual endorsement to the presidential bid of Teodoro, who is the standard bearer of Lakas-Kampi.
Teodoro assured Pimentel that he would be out of the defense department by the time the money starts being released. Pimentel said he’ll take Teodoro’s word.
