“P12-B ‘Ondoy’ fund still unspent”

28 September 2010

“Sen. Loren Legarda Monday lashed at the administration for seeking more funds to deal with super typhoons even though it had barely used the multibillion-peso special allocation it got in the wake of destruction wrought by Tropical Storm ‘Ondoy’ last year” (quoted from Inquirer, Sept. 28, A1).

Legarda pointed out to government’s tapping of multilateral lending bodies to raise $409 million. Legarda said “We recognize that funding is a major problem. But that problem is multiplied many times over if funding already available is not used in a timely manner.”

Legarda also asked, “What have we done with the money so far?” saying that there are still 10,000 people living in evacuation centers.

On the other hand, “Urban planner Felino Palafox said that whatever flood plan for Metro Manila was being prepared by the Aquino administration should be comprehensive enough and should cover areas outside of the metropolis” (PDI, A4). Palafox explained that the floodwaters from last year’s came from Antipolo and Sierra Madre.

Palafox also advocated the construction of Parañaque spillway. He said that there are 21 rivers flowing into Laguna Lake and “if you don’t construct the spillway, it’s like constructing 21 faucets without any drainage, a large toilet without a flush.”

Source: PDI (Sept. 28, A1 & A4)