Councilor eyes P66M for calamity projects

The Cebu City Council has passed a resolution that seeks to approve the Revised 2016 Annual Investment Plan, which incorporates the reprogramming of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CCDRRMC) programs.

Sponsored by Councilor David Tumulak, the resolution provides for the use of the 2015 Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund’s (LDRRMF) balance of P66.2 million to pave the way for new priority programs and projects.

“The CCDRRMC has identified new priority programs and projects for the last quarter of 2016 that need funding amounting to P66 million,” reads a portion of the resolution.

In its regular meeting last Dec. 5, the CCDRRMC, headed by CCDRRMO chief Nagiel Bañacia, identified 15 new priority programs, which can be funded by the LDRRMF’s balance.

Of the newly identified programs, the biggest allocation was worth P26.3 million in fi- nancial assistance for sporadic and non-sporadic barangays, and budget for three separate fire incidents last year.

Three fires in Barangays Suba, Apas and Duljo Fatima displaced thousands of families last November and December.

The new program also includes a P25-million budget for unforeseen calamities and P5.5 million for the purchase of two fire extinguishers each for all 813 chapels in the city.

The CCDRRMC has also allocated P2.5 million in preparation for the closure and rehabilitation of the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill, which will include a thorough damage and risk assessment.

Acting City Accountant Arlene Rentuza has certified and submitted the summary of unexpected account balances of the LDRRMF as of 2015, which has accrued to the special trust fund for the LDRRMF.

The council referred Tumulak’s resolution to the committee on budget and finance for their comment.