DBM turns over P8B to NHA for Yolanda rehab and recovery

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has turned over P8 billion to the National Housing Authority (NHA) to support the continuing rehabilitation and recovery of 205,128 families affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

According to the DBM, the P8 billion will be charged against the 2014 supplemental appropriations for the construction of permanent housing for Typhoon Yolanda victims.  It forms part of the P19 billion approved by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) as funding requirement for resettlement projects in Yolanda-affected areas.

“The 2014 Supplemental Budget fortunately enabled us to fast-track the implementation of the Yolanda rehabilitation plan instead of having to wait for the next fiscal year. What’s more, with the help of Congress, we had the budgetary space to address high-priority needs that couldn’t wait for the turnover to the next national budget,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

Last October, the DBM released P11 billion charged against the NDRRM Fund under the FY 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“Creating the budgetary support for the NHA’s permanent housing program for Typhoon Yolanda victims is just part of the National Government’s thrust to ‘Build Back Better’. By incorporating prevention and preparedness in our rehabilitation efforts, we’ll be able to safeguard settlements throughout the country against future tragedies,” Abad said.

While the DBM has released the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), the Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) will only be released upon the submission of the NHA’s report of its utilization of available cash.