Press Release
October 15, 2009

ANGARA TO NDCC: CAREFUL WITH AID FUNDS,
AVOID SPENDING OVERLAP

Following the approval of the P12 Billion calamity fund at Wednesday night's Senate plenary session, Sen. Edgardo J. Angara has reiterated his call to the Department of National Defense and the National Disaster Coordinating Council to avoid misallocation of relief funds.

"We have to clearly delineate our funds among the multitude of relief and rehabilitation needs. We should keep in mind that no matter how fluid the flow of foreign and domestic aid money, we cannot afford to be careless in spending these critical resources," said Angara, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance.

As Finance Chair, Angara has been receiving questions on whether the DND or the NDCC will be able to maximize the funds according to priority areas. He stressed to the panel meeting this week with the heads of Defense, Agriculture, Budget, Finance and DSWD that although the intention is to help as many people as possible, a strategic distribution system of the funds is necessary so there is no overlapping of [relief].

The NDCC, an attached agency of the DND tasked for disaster response, has been criticized for weak relief implementation and slow action in many provinces, citing the inconsistency of its information and perceived lack of commitment to its relief response duties.

"The international community has been generous and compassionate to our plight. The challenge for Philippine government is to prioritize these funds and not come out badly in the international press for having misappropriated these funds," Angara warned the panel.

Beyond rescue efforts and relief goods distribution, Angara urged the DND and NDCC to allocate funds well for infrastructure in coordination with the DPWH, with special priority on bridges, roads and dikes for better access for rehabilitative work and allow for continuity of normal daily activities of the victims and eventually recover. He also emphasized the need to start in areas that are still flooded.

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