Press Release
June 26, 2008

Statement of Sen. Pia S. Cayetano on relief efforts for victims
of typhoon Frank

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today took exception to comments that some senators have done little or nothing to help relief operations in Western Visayas which was badly devastated last week by typhoon Frank.

"Senators who have been critical of the administration and those aligned with the opposition have not been receiving funds due them under the Philippine Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for two to three years now," said Cayetano, an independent senator.

"These senators, including myself, would have been in a position to help out more extensively in times of calamity, if only this administration has not been selective in the release of congressional allocations," added the lady senator, whose congressional funds have been withheld by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) since the second half of 2005.

"To be honest, it has been very frustrating that as chairperson of the senate committees on environment and health, I have not been able to support more initiatives than I could have under the areas of my concern, given the absence of funds."

But Cayetano was quick to clarify that her predicament has not lulled her into inaction.

"In my own limited way, with the help of friends in the private sector, non-government organizations, civic groups and my own staff, my office has also been able to shore up modest contributions to help relief efforts for the victims of typhoon Frank."

Cayetano has already tapped funds from the Compañero Rene L. Cayetano Foundation, named after her late father, to purchase sacks of rice from the National Food Authority in Western Visayas which will be turned over to the provincial government of Iloilo over the weekend.

The lady senator is also soliciting support from corporate sponsors to organize medical missions to the most badly hit villages in the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan and Antique.

"I have also written Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. urging him to expedite the release of funds my office had allocated last year under the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These funds can be used to augment calamity assistance relief efforts."

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