Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is encouraging local government units (LGUs) to invest in more equipment for disaster risk reduction and management.
Lacson said the equipment needed to prepare for the next calamity was taken up at the Provincial Development Council meeting at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Wednesday, December 3.
“What was really brought up is the need for amphibious dredgers”, he said.
“I encouraged the LGUs who can afford to invest in one major equipment every year” that is needed after a calamity, Lacson said.
“We will do our best in the rehabilitation, especially of the damage brought about by Typhoon Tino,” he added.
The governor said he is also encouraging the LGUs to approve their budgets before the year ends “so that we can all start fresh with a fresh budget”.
The governor thanked Board Member Marxlen de Cruz, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Finance chair, for leading the way for the early passage of the Negros Occidental 2026 budget.
The SP unanimously approved the P7.6 billion 2026 budget of Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
The provincial government budget will be used for agriculture, infrastructure, health, improvement of the disaster risk reduction management, digitalization among others, Lacson said.
“Rehabilitation (of typhoon damage), whatever we can afford we will do it, especially on reconstruction of bridges,’ he added.*