Gov’t to hasten disaster aid release

THE Philippine government is working to speed up the release of disaster aid, with officials signaling changes to funding and approval processes to ensure faster assistance for communities hit by natural calamities.

Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto met with officials from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday to push for quicker government response, citing President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive that support must reach affected families without delay.

Mr. Recto said procedures for reviewing and approving requests from local governments need to be simplified to remove bottlenecks that slow the release of aid.

He added that allocation mechanisms under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund’s Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program should facilitate rapid implementation on the ground rather than hinder it.

Officials from DBM, OCD and DILG agreed to strengthen coordination to ensure timely and efficient delivery of assistance, as the government prepares for future disasters. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana