GORDON BATS FOR CLOSER IS BETTER FOR ADDITIONAL CALAMITY FUNDS TO DISASTER-HIT LGUs

With the buffet of disasters battering different parts the country yearly, Senator Richard J. Gordon has proposed additional allocations to augment the calamity funds of local government units, especially those that were hit by the recent disasters that hit the country, such as the regions of Bicol, Cagayan and the National Capital Region, among others.

During the plenary deliberation for the budget of the Department of Budget and Management, Gordon pointed out that the additional allocation would reach the people faster if added to the LGU's budget.

"Closer is better. We should put the money where the people are. Maybe we could increase the LGU funds instead of national government calamity funds. We need to give them the tools to reduce the suffering of the people," he said.

The senator pointed out that as the recent typhoons have shown, LGUs must have more training on disaster preparedness and response and they could use part of the additional allocations for it.

"Providing them with additional funds would expedite the rehabilitation of provinces that got the brunt of the disasters. They could also fund more training for their people," Gordon explained.