House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday, Oct. 30, called for a comprehensive assessment of the devastation left by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Paeng” in many parts of the country.
Romualdez said the House of Representatives may adjust the proposed 2023 national budget of P5.268 trillion for the funding needed by storm-hit areas.
“Asahan po ninyo na gagawin namin ang lahat para makabangon muli ang ang mga kababayan natin mula sa panibagong hamong ito na hinaharap natin ngayon (You can expect that we will do everything for our countrymen to recover from this new challenge we are now facing),” he said in a statement.
The House has already passed the proposed budget for next year on third and final reading. The Senate is set to tackle it shortly after Congress resumes its session on Nov. 7. After that, the spending measures wulk undergo a bicameral conference committee meeting.
Romualdez also threw his support behind the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk and Reduction and Management Council (NRMMC) to place the country under a state of calamity due to Paeng onslaught.
He stressed the need to declare a national state of calamity for a year due to the “effects, damage and projected impacts” by the severe storm.
During the briefing with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday, Oct. 29, NDRRMC Executive Director and Office of Civil Defense Administrator Raymundo Ferrer made this recommendation to the President following the disaster risk assessment that 16 out of the country’s 17 regions were at high risk for Paeng.
READ: ‘Undas’ nightmare: ‘Shocked’ officials devastated by Typhoon ‘Paeng’s’ wrath
Homes and public infrastructure, such as major roads and bridges, were destroyed by landslides and flash floods caused by the typhoon in Eastern Visayas, Bicol and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Official tally showed 45 people have already died, while 31 are injured and 15 have gone missing, as of posting time.
A state of calamity would enable the government to tap additional funds for disaster relief and impose a price freeze on basic commodities.
Romualdez said he has requested his fellow lawmakers to help the executive departments and agencies assess the damage caused by Paeng and assist in relief operations in their respective districts.
“At the moment, our focus is in relief operations to alleviate the suffering of our fellowmen and to deliver aid as soon as possible to those in need,” he said, noting the relief drive and operations they launched in the House of Representatives.
Romualdez also asked the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, to compile the damage assessment from House members and executive offices.
This, according to the Speaker, could serve as their basis in reviewing possible adjustments in budget allocation for repair and rehabilitation of affected areas under the proposed 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“The House of Representatives will also use its power over the purse to see to it that rehabilitation of affected communities will proceed unhampered as soon as the relief stage is completed,” he added.