Senator on Bicol flooding: 'What happened to region's P61B flood control budget' | ABS-CBN
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Senator on Bicol flooding: 'What happened to region's P61B flood control budget'
Senator on Bicol flooding: 'What happened to region's P61B flood control budget'
Floodwater brought by tropical storm Kristine inundate Baoo, Camarines Sur on October 23, 2024. Courtesy Oliver Collins
Floodwater brought by tropical storm Kristine inundate Baoo, Camarines Sur on October 23, 2024. Courtesy Oliver CollinsMANILA — Sen. Joel Villanueva on Friday said he wants to know what happened to the P61 billion budget for flood control in the Bicol region for 2023 and 2024 following the latest flooding in the area caused by severe tropical storm "Kristine."
MANILA — Sen. Joel Villanueva on Friday said he wants to know what happened to the P61 billion budget for flood control in the Bicol region for 2023 and 2024 following the latest flooding in the area caused by severe tropical storm "Kristine."
In an interview with reporters, Villanueva called out posts circulating in social media that the region only had P9 billion in flood control.
In an interview with reporters, Villanueva called out posts circulating in social media that the region only had P9 billion in flood control.
"Hindi po totoo yun kasi in 2023 sa DPWH alone P29.4 billion ang budget [for Bicol]. This year for Bicol region ang budget for flood control ng DPWH ay 31.9 billion, so 2023 and 2024 meron kang P61.42 billion na budget for flood control in Bicol region," Villanueva said.
"Hindi po totoo yun kasi in 2023 sa DPWH alone P29.4 billion ang budget [for Bicol]. This year for Bicol region ang budget for flood control ng DPWH ay 31.9 billion, so 2023 and 2024 meron kang P61.42 billion na budget for flood control in Bicol region," Villanueva said.
The senator said they would look into it during the budget deliberations for the concerned agencies.
The senator said they would look into it during the budget deliberations for the concerned agencies.
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"So ito dapat tingnan nating mabuti sa budget deliberation, kung saan talaga napupunta ito, may impact ba talaga itong ginagawang flood control projects and programs ng ating pamahalaan," Villanueva said.
"So ito dapat tingnan nating mabuti sa budget deliberation, kung saan talaga napupunta ito, may impact ba talaga itong ginagawang flood control projects and programs ng ating pamahalaan," Villanueva said.
Senate President Chiz Escudero echoed Villanueva in seeking accountability from government agencies.
Senate President Chiz Escudero echoed Villanueva in seeking accountability from government agencies.
"We begin budget deliberations when we resume on Nov 4. I expect that this will be brought up during the budget deliberations of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DSWD, DND/OCD," Escudero said in a text message.
"We begin budget deliberations when we resume on Nov 4. I expect that this will be brought up during the budget deliberations of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DSWD, DND/OCD," Escudero said in a text message.
"Moving forward, however, we will not only exact accountability but also make sure the the 2025 budget will provide preventive measures to avoid a recurrence as well as adequate rehabilitation and response in case of a similar calamity in the future," he added.
"Moving forward, however, we will not only exact accountability but also make sure the the 2025 budget will provide preventive measures to avoid a recurrence as well as adequate rehabilitation and response in case of a similar calamity in the future," he added.
Meanwhile, Villanueva said there must be a paradigm shift in the government's approach to disasters as he reiterated a call for an integrated master plan for flooding and storms.
Meanwhile, Villanueva said there must be a paradigm shift in the government's approach to disasters as he reiterated a call for an integrated master plan for flooding and storms.
Villanueva is also pushing for the creation of the Department of Water Resources to address the issue.
Villanueva is also pushing for the creation of the Department of Water Resources to address the issue.
"Of course gusto rin nating pagtuunan ng pansin ng Senado kasi nasa floor na itong pagpasa ng ating Department of Water Resources. Ang ating bansa ay ranked as number 1 globally in 2 consecutive years na in terms of disaster risk dito sa World Risk Index kaya siguro it's about time na pagtuunan natin ito ng pansin," Villanueva also said.
"Of course gusto rin nating pagtuunan ng pansin ng Senado kasi nasa floor na itong pagpasa ng ating Department of Water Resources. Ang ating bansa ay ranked as number 1 globally in 2 consecutive years na in terms of disaster risk dito sa World Risk Index kaya siguro it's about time na pagtuunan natin ito ng pansin," Villanueva also said.
More than 3.3 million Filipinos have been affected by the onslaught of Kristine all over the country, with thousands still reeling from the effects of the storm, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Friday.
More than 3.3 million Filipinos have been affected by the onslaught of Kristine all over the country, with thousands still reeling from the effects of the storm, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Friday.
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