President Duterte has vowed transparency and accountability in the use of government funds for the relief assistance to communities devastated by typhoon "Rolly."
(JOEY DALUMPINES / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President has assured that the government resources would go to the intended beneficiaries so as not to prolong their "agony" from latest natural calamity.
Duterte issued the statement after Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado reported the government's national disaster risk and management fund stood at P3.6 billion during a disaster response meeting Monday. The calamity funds, Avisado noted, were earlier replenished with P5 billion based on the Bayanihan 2 law.
"I hope we have explained to the people what we have done to meet the challenges of the moment," Duterte said during an assembly with Cabinet members and other officials at the Malago clubhouse in Malacañang Park Monday.
"And I hope that you have clearly understood that the money that we are spending will be really spent for the people and we will hold ourselves accountable for it. So huwag kayong mag-alala-alala. Magtatrabaho tayong lahat (So do not worry. We are all working)," he added.
Duterte commended Avisado for disclosing the fund availability for the typhoon relief efforts, saying it was important for the people to know the funds are available and would be used properly.
"Ang importante lang kasi dito, Wendel, na malaman ng tao na may pera para dito ngayon kunwari itong pangyayari ngayon --- that there is money coming for them to use. Hindi sila maghirap na talagang stretching to the limit ‘yung not only the money but the agony ang pag-ano nila (The important thing here, Wendel, is for the people to know there are funds for the situation like what's happening now, that there is money coming for them to use. They will not suffer like stretching to the limit not only the money but their agony)," he said.
Duterte also cautioned against government funds going to the pockets of any crooked public servant.
"Ang masakit sa taong-bayan 'yung alam nila na may pera na dapat para sa kanila, in this case the assistance, tapos walang dumating at pinurdoy, somebody goes out to embezzle or abscond with the money, iyan ang masakit (It is painful for the nation to know there are funds intended for them, in this case the assistance, but then nothing comes. Instead somebody goes out to embezzle or abscond with the money, that hurts)," he said.
The President admitted though that the government's resources are limited, saying its regular expenses on infrastructure development, education and other social services become "exponential" every year.
He said no country in the world has a "surplus of money."
"Talagang making both ends meet because the needs of society, the needs for roads, the need for teachers, classrooms, lahat, patong nang patong 'yan. Every year it increases and it is exponential ang gastos (We're making both ends because the needs of society, the need for roads, the need for teachers, classrooms, everything. It's piling up. Every year increases and the expenses are exponential)," he said.
Typhoon Rolly left a trail of death and destruction after hammering Albay, Catanduanes and other areas with torrential rains and winds last weekend. The typhoon killed more than a dozen people, toppled power lines, triggered floods and damaged houses during its onslaught.
Another tropical storm Siony is moving closer to the country as Rolly exited the country.
The President warned the nation about the potential impact of the imminent storm.
"But it is not as powerful as Rolly, itong…? But still it will cause damage sa daan niya. The roads and the bridges ang unang tama niyan (It will cause damage in its path. the roads and bridges will be hit first)," Duterte said.