Marcos on Mayon Volcano’s unrest: National gov’t should step in before LGU funds run out

by Jean Mangaluz Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong”

Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, June 14 said that the national government should also step in and provide additional funds for the evacuees in Albay before the local government runs out of money for disaster response.

During a situation briefing on the Mayon Volcano’s unrest, Albay Government

Edcel Greco Lagman told Marcos that a total of P196,711,000 is needed for disaster response for 90 days, which would cover the needs of the evacuees such as water and sanitation, health services, learning spaces among others.

However, Lagman said that the province’s quick response fund dedicated for the Mayon Volcano’s unrest was only P30,000,000, as the rest needed to be reserved for typhoon season and other disasters.

“This is what we need Mr. President, for support, P166,711,000, total amount needed for support,” said Lagman in a mix of English and Filipino.

In response, Marcos said that the government should step in, but will need the help of local government units (LGU) to know which areas are critical and need to be prioritized.

“Huwag na natin ubusin yung pera ng LGU. Kung pwede na tayo pumasok, pumasok na tayo. Let’s take the load off the province and take the load off the municipalities because limited lang naman yan,” he said.

(Let’s not wait for the LGU’s money to run out. If we can [help], let’s do it. Let’s take the load off the province and off the municipalities because they are limited.)

The President however, added that the figures need to be further scrutinized and specified, so that the response is measured.

“The province is already providing all of this, the P30 million, we would have to