The Negros Occidental provincial government has not spent the P50 million typhoon assistance given by Malacañang because its deed of donation needs to be signed, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Saturday, Dec. 6.
There is a little delay because one of its original signatories, Adrian Carlos Bersamin, former Undersecretary for the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office resigned, the governor said.
“Right now he is not anymore with Malacan̈ang so the deed of donation that we brought to Manila for their signature, there’s a problem with that”, Lacson said.
He hopes they will consider the deed of donation even without Bersamin’s signature, Lacson said, adding that they are waiting for feedback on whether they can release the funds.
“We have to be careful in releasing this money because later on the COA (Commission on Audit) could question us if we do not have the documents to support the release,” he added.
Lacson said he hopes the typhoon victims can understand the reason for the delay.*