DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya on Thursday, August 20, 2020, said local government units (LGUs) affected by the destructive magnitude 6.6 earthquake that hit Masbate may realign their budget to address the needs of their constituents.
Malaya said the LGUs may also tap its quick response fund and seek assistance from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
"Ganito po 'yan, kami po sa DILG, we have to determine if ubos na talaga 'yung calamity fund. Nagkaroon po kasi ng Bayanihan grant at ang napansin po namin the other month, noong chine-check po namin 'yung compliance nila at 'yung kanilang utilization ay hindi nila masyadong ginalaw 'yung kanilang calamity fund dahil since may Bayanihan grant naman sila, 'yun ang kanilang ginamit for Covid response," Malaya said.
"Pero assuming po na dito nga sa Cataingan ay naubos na nila 'yung kanilang Bayanihan grant at naubos din nila 'yung calamity fund, ang puwede po nilang gawin, number one, ay mag-realign ng budget sa LGU. Puwede pong magpatawag kaagad ng meeting ang kanilang konseho, i-realign 'yung ibang mga nakalagay sa budget para magamit nila for quick response," he added.
Malaya said the provincial government of Masbate also has its quick response fund which may be used during a calamity.
He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on the other hand, should take over the relief operations.
The magnitude 6.6 quake struck near Cataingan town in Masbate at 8:03 a.m. Tuesday. More than 200 aftershocks have occurred since then.
On Wednesday, Cataingan Mayor Felipe CabataƱa sought the assistance of the national government as they have used up their funds for the Covid-19 response operations.
The regional Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said as of Wednesday evening, the number of individuals injured during the earthquake has reached 51 while the number of fatalities was two.
It said 61 residential houses, 19 school buildings and other establishments were damaged.
The Department of Public Works and Highways said the estimated cost of damage to roads and other government buildings in the said province has reached P23.96 million.
Damage to government-owned facilities in Camarines Sur was estimated at P500,000.
Aside from food, the OCD said affected families also need tents and other materials in order for them to build their temporary shelters as well as hygiene kits.
A total of 66 families or 334 individuals in Cataingan town were affected by the earthquake. (SunStar Philippines)