House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Thursday, Dec. 23 called on the Duterte administration to stop scrimping on government funds as it deals with the devastation that typhoon “Odette” wrought on several provinces, saying that government has at least P9 billion that can be quickly released to address the crisis.

This developed as former Bayan Muna Rep. Nery Colmenares appealed for urgent assistance for Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental that have absorbed huge damages estimated at P5.9 billion and P600 million, respectively.

"Based on Department of Budget and Management (DBM) data, as of November 30, 2021, there is still P4,450,241,000 in the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund (NDRRMF), P4,473,011,000 Contingent fund and P202,749,459 as Offered Savings. Added together they would amount to P9,126,001,459 that can immediately be used for the areas devastated by Odette," said Zarate.

"Unless the government was able to spend more than P5 billion of these funds in a span of three weeks, then why is it scrimping on our kababayans now gravely hit by Odette?,” Rep. Zarate asked.

Earlier, President Duterte and DBM Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda have claimed that government has only P2 billion available from the NDRRMF and another P2 billion in contingency fund available.

Duterte pledged another P6 billion to the typhoon victims, saying tha tthe amount can be sourced from the still unsigned proposed 2022 national budget.

"Sana naman ay di nagastos para sa pangangampanya ng mga alyado ng administrasyon ang pera ng bayan at kagyat na ibigay na ayuda na lang sa mga nasalanta. (It is hoped that funds have not been spent for the campaign of administration allies so that this can be distributed as aide to the victims),” stated Zarate.

Meanwhile, Colmenares urged his fellow Negrenses to heed the call for help of people who absorbed losses as a result of Odette’s devastation.

Colmenares, who is seeking a senatorial seat, returned to Negros Occidental, his home province to personally help in the relief operations for communities hit by the typhoon.

“That's why it's heartbreaking for me to hear that the total damage to property, including agriculture and livelihood, in Negros Occidental alone reached P5.9 billion. In Negros Oriental, sustained damages to infrastructure amounted to at least P600 million,” said Colmenares, a native of La Castellana town.

“They need all the support we can give to rise from the debris. We need to help them rebuild the lost or severely crippled industries destroyed by Odette. We need to do our share in rebuilding our beloved Negros,” he added.