Cebu Province maintains over a billion pesos in unutilized disaster relief funds.
In the heart of the Philippines, Cebu Province is grappling with a unique challenge: a significant amount of unspent funds designated for disaster preparedness and resiliency, amounting to approximately P1 billion. This issue, however, is not due to a lack of funding but rather structural and organizational constraints.
Upon assuming his position, Provincial Administrator Joseph "Ace" Durano noticed that several provincial offices, including the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), had been reduced in status or dissolved. As a result, the PDRRMO currently operates with limited resources, with trust funds totalling P600 million from previous years and an additional P360 million from the current year remaining unspent.
The PDRRMO's reduced status as a division, with only two personnel, no assets, and no equipment, has hindered its capacity to implement programs, equip personnel, or execute large-scale disaster readiness efforts. This situation stands in stark contrast to other Philippine regions, where disaster offices have mobilized significant resources for preparedness during recent typhoons.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro, recognizing the importance of addressing this issue, appointed Colonel Denise Pastor, a retired army officer with a master's degree in disaster preparedness, to lead the PDRRMO. A key legislative agenda for the Baricuatro administration is to reinstate the PDRRMO as a full department, a move that is seen as vital for the office to effectively use the available funds for training responders, acquiring equipment, purchasing rescue vehicles, and increasing manpower.
Board Member Celestino Martinez III is expected to sponsor the necessary legislation. Under Republic Act 12001, if general funds for disaster are not utilized within the year, they are transferred to trust funds and remain usable for disaster-related activities for five years. The funds in the trust funds are "usable within five years."
It's worth noting that one percent of the Province's National Tax Allocations (NTA) must be used for disaster preparedness, and these funds have accumulated in a special trust fund account over the years due to underutilization. Funds from 2022, 2023, and 2024 remain, and while much of the earlier allocations have been used for Covid-19 response, these funds have not yet lapsed.
The successful utilization of these funds is crucial for Cebu's ability to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from calamities. The province, known for its vibrant culture and tourism, stands to benefit greatly from strengthening its disaster resilience, ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents and visitors alike.
The government of Cebu Province is facing a challenge as the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), responsible for disaster preparedness, operates with significant unspent funds, amounting to approximately P960 million from previous and current years. Despite having trust funds totalling P600 million and an additional P360 million remaining, the PDRRMO's reduced status as a divisionwith limited resources has hindered its capacity to implement programs and execute large-scale disaster readiness efforts. This situation could be remedied by reinstating the PDRRMO as a full department, allowing for the effective use of the funds for training responders, acquiring equipment, purchasing rescue vehicles, and increasing manpower.
