PDRRMC approves P80M calamity fund for 2015

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Negros Oriental has approved an estimated budget of P80 million as its disaster risk reduction and management fund for 2015.

Adrian Sedillo, capitol Information Officer and a PDRRMC executive officer, said the Council in a meeting last week adopted the budget, which represents five percent of the province’s executive annual budget for 2015.

The projected executive budget of Negros Oriental for 2015 was pegged at around P1.6 billion and this could increase or decrease albeit insignificantly once it has been approved by the legislative and executive bodies, Sedillo said.

The DRRM fund, formerly known as the five percent calamity fund of an LGU covers at least four areas for allocation, namely, mitigation and prevention, preparedness, response and rehabilitation.

On mitigation and prevention, part of the DRRM fund shall be used for climate change and environmental protection programs, among others, said Sedillo, citing the P1-million footbridge in Brgy. Nagbinlod of Sta. Catalina town that was requested by the 79th Infantry Battalion.

Disaster preparedness would include, among others, the conduct of trainings and seminars and purchase of heavy equipment as well as rescue equipment, with 30 percent of the P80 million DRRM fund allocated for response activities during actual disaster operations. —(FREEMAN)