Manila Bulletin
Drilon backs proposal to realign P19-B NTF-ELCAC fund for disaster aid efforts
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon supports realigning the P19-billion National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) fund for disaster aid efforts.
He proposed diverting the fund, including P16.4 billion intended for 820 insurgency-free communities, to assist provinces devastated by recent typhoons in Bicol and Regions 4-A and B.
Drilon argued that the funds would be better used for disaster relief and rebuilding lives and communities rather than "soft projects" like agricultural assistance or livelihood trainings, which he believes are prone to corruption.
He noted the urgent need to rebuild thousands of houses damaged by typhoons and augment the housing sector's P4-billion budget for next year, which he deems insufficient.
Furthermore, Drilon suggested that redirecting the funds could ease suspicions that they might be used to aid candidates in the 2022 elections.
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Malacañang sees no issue with realigning anti-insurgency funds for typhoon response, stating it aligns with the goal of countryside development.
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Camarines Sur Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte is urging Congress to increase the calamity fund allocation in the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021.
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Senator Grace Poe is advocating for increased and consistent annual funding for the country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) fund.
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