The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has warned local government officials against corruption in the use of billions of pesos earmarked for disaster rehabilitation, stressing that public funds must go directly toward rebuilding communities and restoring the livelihoods of calamity victims.
Marcos issued the warning Thursday during the ceremonial turnover of ₱8.645 billion in Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) funds to 306 local government units (LGUs) at Malacañan Palace.
He said the assistance must not become an opportunity for officials or contractors to enrich themselves at the expense of disaster-stricken communities.
The President specifically prohibited ghost projects, kickbacks and substandard rehabilitation works, warning that anyone found exploiting the suffering of affected Filipinos would face the full force of the law.
The approved assistance covers LGUs severely affected by typhoons, earthquakes and the 2024 to 2026 eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
Of the total allocation, more than ₱6 billion has already been released, while the second tranche exceeding ₱2.5 billion has been approved and is being downloaded to local governments.
The funding will support the reconstruction of damaged roads, bridges, public buildings and evacuation centers, as well as the restoration of housing, agriculture, education and health services and local livelihoods.
Marcos emphasized that the distribution of assistance is based on the actual needs of affected communities, regardless of the political affiliations of local officials.
He said the DRRAP provides direct financial assistance to LGUs, allowing them to identify and prioritize rehabilitation projects based on conditions and requirements on the ground.
The President acknowledged that previous disaster rehabilitation mechanisms involved lengthy processing periods, prompting the government to streamline the release of assistance. Processing time has been reduced from eight to 11 months to approximately four to six months, depending on the intervention.
He also urged local officials to improve their documentation and reporting of disaster damage to the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to help ensure timely and appropriate government assistance.
The administration said closer coordination between national and local governments would help affected communities recover faster and strengthen their preparedness against future disasters.