THE CITY government will extend calamity aid in the amount of P14.5 million to 27 disaster-stricken local government units (LGUs) in Luzon.
The 27 LGUs were declared under a state of calamity after they were battered by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon (Habagat) in July.
The 20th City Council approved the ordinance under suspended rules during the 29th regular session on Tuesday.
Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz told reporters the fund will come from the portion of the 30% Quick Response Fund out of the 5% Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (Calamity Fund) of the city for 2024.
The municipalities of San Mateo, Rizal; Baco, Oriental Mindoro; Macabebe, Pampanga; Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro; Bauang, La Union; Cainta, Rizal; Paombong, Bulacan; San Andres, Romblon; Camiling, Tarlac; and Plaridel, Bulacan will each receive P300, 000 each.
Financial aid amounting to P500,000 will be extended to each of the cities of Metro Manila specifically San Juan; Quezon; Caloocan; Marikina; Manila; Navotas; Valenzuela; Mandaluyong; Pasay; Malabon; and Meycauayan City of Bulacan.
The provinces of Bataan; Rizal; Pampanga; Bulacan; Cavite and Batangas will each receive P1 million each.
The tariff rates for financial assistance to calamity victims are based on the Local Finance Committee Resolution 2020-01.
When asked if there is sufficient calamity fund reserved for the use of the city, the chair of the finance, ways and means, and appropriations committee said there is enough buffer.
Under the 2024 Annual Budget of the city government of Davao, the city council approved an amount of P626,796,545.00 to be allocated for the city’s calamity fund.
Of this amount, P 188,038,964 is earmarked for QRF, wherein the city council already approved P114,350,000.
Ortiz said the remaining balance in the city’s QRF is PhP 59,188,964.
To recall, the city council approved the QRF utilization amounting to P84,350,000 for the relief of several barangays in the city placed under the state of calamity in February 2024 due to flooding brought by the shear line and trough of LPA.
Meanwhile, P19 million was approved to help other LGUs that also declared a state of calamity, and P6.1 million financial aid to 15 LGUs.
Photos: Bing Gonzales
