Press Release
October 5, 2011

SENATOR WANTS GOV'T SAVINGS FOR REHAB OF TYPHOON-HIT AREAS

Due to the devastating damage caused by typhoons "Pedring" and "Quiel," Senate Committee on Public Works Chairman Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. today challenged President Benigno Aquino III to immediately release all available funds for the rehabilitation of the heavily- affected areas.

According to Bong Revilla, the destruction brought by the two typhoons is very massive, particularly in Northern Luzon and Central Luzon where agriculture is the main source of livelihood. He said as an agricultural-based country, we must immediately release all accessible funds for its full and immediate recovery or the national economy might suffer.

"I have visited the areas hardly-hit by the typhoons. I have seen the devastation not only in infrastructure but also in agriculture. Matapos na mangutang ang ating mga magsasaka para ipambili ng binhi at pataba, winasak ng bagyo ang kanilang pananim. Wala nang kita, nakabaon pa sa utang," ani Bong Revilla, na muling inilunsad ang kanyang Kaagapay sa Araw ng Pangangailangan (KAP) relief assistance program upang tulungan ang mga flood-stricken families sa iba't ibang bahagi ng bansa.

The senator stressed that the national government must use all its cash-on-hand to provide sustainable measures to alleviate the plight of the distressed families and rehabilitate the areas under State of Calamity. He said the fund can be sourced from the savings of government agencies, revenues from the Toll fee and other VAT collections.

"If these are still not enough, we can also source the fund from our Agricultural Competitiveness and Enhancement Fund. We can also use our earnings from the Malampaya Natural Gas Project and even our Motor Vehicles Users' tax collections. Sa Malampaya earnings pa lang na P20 billion ay kaya nang pondohan ang P10 bilyong-halaga ng sinira ng bagyong Pedring at Quiel. May sobra pang P10 bilyon. Marami pang ibang puwedeng paghugutan ng pondo kung gugustuhin natin, " wika niya.

The lawmaker pointed out that after the initial and immediate aid such as search and rescue operations and relief efforts, measures which have long-term outcome for calamity victims must be provided by the government. "Hindi natin dapat tipirin ang ating mga kababayang nangangailangan ng tulong. Political will ang kailangan para higit silang matulungan at tuluyan silang makabangon sa pighating kinahaharap nila ngayon."

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