A city councilor is asking his fellow members of the city legislature to investigate complaints concerning the alleged cut in the distribution of the P250 million calamity fund to households who were affected by typhoon Odette.
Councilor Peter Maristela, who published his letter during his privilege speech in the city council’s regular session Monday, January 10, said the city government has approved a supplemental budget of P250 million intended for rehabilitation, financial aid, and other necessities needed to recover from the typhoon’s devastation.
He added that those whose houses were partially and totally damaged by the recent catastrophe may receive P5,000 and P10,000, respectively, as agreed upon in their special session held days after the aftermath of the typhoon.
“Ang paliwanag sa atin dito ni Maam Del Rosario ng CSWD noong inaprubahan natin ito noong special session bibigyan ng P5,000 ang mga may-ari ng partially damaged na bahay at P10,000 naman sa mga totally damaged. Ngunit, ating napag-alaman na P3,000 lamang ang naibigay ng City Government,” Maristela said.
Maristela is calling for an investigation. He said that he wants to look up on it in order to address complaints from city residents who were affected by the typhoon but did not receive financial assistance as they were from the rural barangays of the city.
“Ang basehan ng binigyan ay ang listahan ng Ugnayan sa Barangay. Kung ang listahan ng Ugnayan sa Barangay ang pinagbasehan ito ay para lamang sa rural barangays. Hindi dito kasama ang mga barangay sa Poblacion na naapektuhan din ng bagyo, lalo na sa mga coastal areas,” Maristela said.
While he understood the efforts of his co-legislators and officials in the City Government, City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), Maristela demands for proper liquidation and reports from the agencies involved in the distribution of financial aid.
“Bilang mga public servant, kailangan natin sagutin ang mga katanungang ito ng ating mga kababayan, at lalo pang pag-ibayuhin ang ating paglilingkod. Paano po ba ginamit ang P250 million na nilaan natin sa calamity fund?” Maristela said in his statement.
The councilor expects to be furnished with for reports, list of beneficiaries and financial report coming from the concerned departments.
A copy of his statement was sent to Palawan Daily as reference for this report.