LGUs ravaged by disasters may realign their budgets for emergency response --DILG
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said that local government units (LGUs) struck by disasters may realign their budget for emergency purposes.

In a GMA News report, DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya cited that this is applicable in the earthquake-hit area of Cataingan, Masbate.
He noted that the DILG would first determine if the said town had already exhausted all of its calamity fund.
Explaining further, Malaya said this is so since the localities have been provided with the “Bayanihan Grant’’.
Upon checking, Malaya noted that some LGUs still have calamity funds in their coffers since the “Bayanihan Grant’’ were also provided to them for their COVID-19 response.
In case the Cataingan town had utilized the “Bayanihan Grant’’ and calamity fund, Malaya said the municipality may re-align the budget for emergency purposes.
“Puwede pong magpatawag kaagad ng meeting ang kanilang konseho, i-realign 'yung ibang mga nakalagay sa budget para magamit nila for quick response. (The council may call for a meeting to have the budget re-aligned for quick response),’’ Malaya said.
Aside from realigning its budget, Malaya said the local government of Cataingan could also appeal for assistance from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
He noted the province of Masbate has a quick response fund which could also be tapped to assist the victims of the magnitude 6.6 earthquake.
He explained that relief operations are within the mandate of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.