Belmonte allots P20 M for ‘Pablo’ devastated areas

Victims of super typhoon “Pablo” will be receiving additional help with the release of P20 million allocated from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Belmonte sought the allocation of funds from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under the Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in response to the devastation caused by Pablo.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has pegged the death toll from the typhoon at 1,067, with 2,666 injured and 834 missing as of its Dec. 25 report.

Pablo a˜ected 30 provinces in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccskargen, and the Davao and Caraga regions.

Damage to property, including agriculture and infrastructure, was estimated at P37 billion, according to the NDRRMC.

Belmonte said the funds would be distributed “with priority to areas most hardly hit” by the disaster.

In his letter of request last month, he assured the DBM that he “will closely coordinate with the DSWD as to the distribution per province once the fund has been released.”

Notice of approval for release of these funds was received this week through a Special Allotment Release Order.