Duterte says some project budgets cut to provide 'Odette' relief
MANILA, Philippines — The government has slashed the budget of some of its projects to provide immediate relief to victims of typhoon "Odette," President Rodrigo Duterte said.
Duterte, who earlier said that the government's budget has been "depleted" because of pandemic-related expenses, assured typhoon survivors that they would receive assistance within the week.
"I've found the budget for you. Last night, we were working hard because we were cutting the budget of some government projects just so that I could give you something immediately," the president said during his visit to typhoon-ravaged Siargao in Surigao del Norte on Wednesday.
"This is for the people, not for infrastructures. Maybe you'll get P50,000 each. Ah, and you believed that so easily? Go ahead, maybe P40,000, is that okay?," he said.
"I told the governor already, I've told them a long time ago that I'm just sweeping the floor to see where I would find the money. I won't tell you anymore but I have — the money is available now. You will receive it on or before Thursday. Just give me a little time, just give me a little time," he added.
The president did not say what projects were affected by the fund realignment.
'Typhoon survivors will not go hungry'
Duterte vowed to send food to communities battered by the typhoon, which hit the Visayas, Mindanao, and parts of southern Luzon. He gave assurance that no typhoon survivor would go hungry.
"When it comes to food, remember this: Food will always be supplied for as long as there are people who are hungry. The problem is we didn't foresee that your pots got blown away by the typhoon... It's really tough luck because the damage is massive. That's why looking at the situation makes me want to cry," Duterte said.
"The people aren't asking for anything else other than help in the form of food and cash. Majority of the people here — it pains me to say this — but majority of the people here are poor, so the government should prioritize them. For the rich ones who have plenty of land here, you can squat on their property," he added.
'P10 billion for typhoon relief'
Earlier this week, Duterte said the government's funds have been "depleted" because of expenses related to COVID-19 response. The president, however, promised to raise P10 billion to support the typhoon relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The bulk of the amount or P6 billion would come from the 2022 national budget while P2 billion each would be sourced from the national disaster risk reduction and management fund and the contingent fund.
On Wednesday, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the government has funds to help typhoon-hit areas.
"When the president made those statements, it was, remember, in the context of informing the Filipino nation... We have a lot of challenges. We have huge expenditures for COVID," Nograles said at a press briefing.
"And if you listen to the speeches of the President, that’s what he says. We spent so much for efforts against COVID, we spent so much for vaccines and here comes another challenge, typhoon Odette," he added.
Duterte had also visited Surigao del Norte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Dinagat Islands to distribute assistance to affected communities. He was also scheduled to visit Cebu and Palawan on Thursday.
Housing assistance
During his visit to Dinagat Islands also on Wednesday, Duterte promised to provide the necessary means to speed up clearing operations and help residents rebuild their homes.
Nograles said the National Housing Authority would provide housing assistance worth P100 million to typhoon victims in Dinagat Islands whose houses were damaged or destroyed.
The social welfare department has been directed to provide financial assistance and family food packs to affected families, he added.
The energy department, Nograles said, would ensure the delivery of gasoline and other petroleum products to the typhoon-struck islands while the interior department would supervise the distribution of financial aid.
"We again thank all generous allies in the international community, development partners, organizations, families, and individuals for the outpouring of support and compassion to our people," Nograles said in a statement issued Thursday.
"We also assure our countrymen that your government continues to work double time in its relief, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts to aid displaced families in hard-hit areas as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the most devastating typhoon to hit our country this year," he added.
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