Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said he has no qualms supporting proposals to increase the country's calamity funds for next year but the government will save much with the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) that would govern the responsible use of public money meant to aid victims of natural disasters and calamities.
Go made the pitch for the passage of the measure seeking the creation of the DDR as Congress mulls a higher budget for calamity and disaster response.
"Susuportahan ko ang pagdagdag sa calamity funds for 2023. Wala akong pagtutol dyan dahil tungkulin natin na matulungan kaagad ang mga tinamaan ng iba’t ibang kalamidad para sila ay makabangon kaagad muli (I will support the increase in calamity funds for 2023. I have no objection to that because it is our duty to immediately help those affected by various calamities so that they can recover again immediately)," Go said in a statement on Wednesday, November 2.
"Subalit ang mas mahalagang tanong ay paano mas masisiguro na magagamit agad at nang mas tama ang malaking pondong ito. Natuto na rin tayo sa naging karanasan natin noong pandemya at nakaraang mga kalamidad (But the more important question is how to ensure that this huge fund is used immediately and more correctly. We have also learned from our experience during the pandemic and previous disasters)," he further said.
"Bagama’t malaking tulong ang calamity funds, magiging mas mabilis at mas maayos sana ang paggamit nito kung may iisang departamento na naka-focus sa pamamahala ng mga programa pagdating sa relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts (Although the calamity funds are a great help, it would have been faster and better used if there was a single department focused on managing programs when it comes to relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts)," he pointed out.
That is why, the senator said, it is more important to create the Department of Disaster Resilience headed by a Cabinet-level secretary.
"Kung maglalagay tayo ng mas malaking pondo, ikonsidera na natin na maglagay ng streamlined at mas empowered na governing body na magiging accountable sa paggamit ng pondong ito (If we are putting in a bigger fund, let's consider putting in a streamlined and more empowered governing body that will be accountable for the use of this fund)," he said.
"It is time we learn our lesson," he pointed out.
Go said the country would do better if the government either further strengthen the current National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to help it carry out its mandate or establish the DDR.
"We need a holistic approach in dealing with the more devastating effects of climate change, especially that the Philippines is considered as one of the most vulnerable in the world," Go stressed.
"So let us work together to provide a safer and more comfortable life for all," he said.
Senator Sonny Angara, Senate finance committee chief, earlier said next year's budget for calamity aid is at P30-billion but lawmakers are keen on adjusting the amount to make it more attuned to respond to climate change concerns given the increased frequency and magnitude of typhoons hitting the Philippines.