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'Utos ng Pangulo': More disaster-hit LGUs given access to NDRRM Fund to expedite gov't response
'Utos ng Pangulo': More disaster-hit LGUs given access to NDRRM Fund to expedite gov't response
Defense Secretary and NDRRMC chairman Gilbert Teorodo presides an emergency meeting that tackled the amendments that seek to expand the access of the Local Government Units to the NDRRM Fund. (photo: NDRRMC)
The national government has provided more local government units (LGUs) access to its disaster management fund amid the series of natural calamities that hit the country, particularly Mindanao.
During the meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), representatives from various government agencies approved a resolution revoking a provision that states that only 6th to 4th class LGUs are given the priority for the NDRRM Fund.
Defense Secretary and NDRRMC chairman Gilbert Teodoro said the resolution practically expanded the access of the LGUs to the fund from the national government in the repair, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of infrastructure in disaster-stricken areas.
Under the old guideline, the NDRRM Fund prioritizes 4th to 6th Income Class LGUs and requires 1st to 3rd Income Class for a Local Counterpart Fund which refers to the portion of the approved requested fund that the LGUs must shoulder depending on their income class.
“With the adoption of the resolution, the counterpart funding requirement is now repealed,” said Teodoro.
The resolution stated that the “NDRRM Fund may be utilized to repair, reconstruct or rehabilitate local or national infrastructure regardless of income classification when such are vital for access and connectivity and are necessary for response or early recovery.”
The certification of the Regional Directors of the Office of Civil Defense) (OCD) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in disaster-affected regions, however, is a requirement.
The resolution for equal access of NDRRM Fund also covers human-induced calamities which occur during the budget year or those that occurred in the past two years from the budget year.
Teodoro said the resolution was in compliance with the directive of President Marcos to fast-track the repair of damaged infrastructure, especially those that are essential in response operations.
“The NDRRMC acknowledges that with the severity of the effects of the disasters, depleting the limited resources of LGUs, support from the national government is critical to ensure resilient recovery of disaster-affected areas,” said Teodoro.