Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Wednesday, December 22, that he is filing a bill for a P10 to 15 billion supplemental budget to aid the victims of Typhoon “Odette” in various parts of the country.
Zubiri said the General Appropriations Act for 2022 has already been approved and ratified, and is just waiting for the signature of the president.
The budget for calamity response in the GAA for 2022 was very little so they need to pass a supplemental budget of at least P10 billion, but they will try to increase it to P15 billion if the national treasurer says there are sufficient funds from savings, he said.
The funds will be targeted to help families whose houses were destroyed and damaged, he said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development is giving P30,000 for destroyed houses and P15,000 for those damaged, but with the supplemental budget additional funds could be allocated, he said.
Zubiri, who has roots in Negros, on Wednesday turned over 200 sacks of locally produced rice to the Negros Occidental provincial government, 100 to Kabankalan City, 100 for Bacolod City, 30 for Sipalay City and 20 for Ilog town from his personal funds.
He also donated 1,250 food packs and 200 portable tents in Kabankalan City Wednesday.
Zubiri said he is also donating rice and tents to Negros Oriental that was also badly hit by the typhoon.
The senator said his wish and appeal this Christmas is for politicians to set aside politics and concentrate on assisting the typhoon victims.
“I am praying to God that we can all recover from this crisis soon. What is important is that be never lose hope,” Zubiri added.*