AS SEEN ON TV
Footing the disaster tab
Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng that sent the Philippines to its knees claims another casualty, one that’s less-sensational but equally essential as human lives lost: the country’s finances!
During the first half of 2009, emergency spending had eaten up on the regular budget. This is expected when local government units are only allowed to use 5 percent of revenue allotment for calamity spending. But with the devastation wrought by more cruel weather and other man-made mega disasters (even the Superferry 9 tragedy used up rescue resources), calamity funds will not hold out.
In the latter part of the year when Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng pounded and left the country with devastation price tagged at the billions, not only were emergency funds drained up. Part of what could and should be spent next year is already “consumed”, if one thinks of long term rehabilitation of downed areas, which will continue in the year to come.
We should have really allotted a bigger budget for relief and rehabilitation, given the likelihood of natural disasters in this country and the subsequent costs of rebuilding.
And it is not that we are completely unaware of how high the costs of rehabilitation could go. Typhoon Frank was, for good measure, a window for the government to see how far its meager calamity funds would step up for a disaster of Frank’s magnitude. How many Franks cross our path in a year?
And now it’s budget season. Presumably there’s already a rough draft of the 2010 budget, perhaps with emphasis on election spending and some other non essentials. Most likely disaster relief and rehabilitation will get an increase of x percent of the previous year’s allocation, which should not be the case.
Former Senator and Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto urged lawmakers to really redo the fiscal budget and allot significantly for relief and rehabilitation, to better prepare for emergency.
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The Senate is officially skipping Christmas party this year. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile thinks a lavish party at a time when the country is reeling from the devastation of two major typhoons sends a wrong message to their constituents.
I agree. It is not only ostentatious. A Christmas party at a time like this is unethical. I really hope all government offices would cancel Christmas parties this year to set an example.
The people are hard up and I am sure the government is also scrimping on unnecessary spending. If it cannot even provide rescue, relief, or even expedite loans to GSIS members affected by the floods, it should not be spending on parties that will only spread goodwill and cheer to a few.
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The Department of Education also sent a warning to all DepED employees to cut back on lavish celebrations or festivities and extravagant spending.
“The act of engaging in lavish celebrations and display of wealth at this time when the country is reeling from severe losses in lives and property is unlawful and unconscionable,” said Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz in a directive addressed to all DepEd heads nationwide.
Lapuz stressed that any DepED personnel violating this will be dealt with severely.
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Perhaps, even private companies should rethink the way they should celebrate Christmas 2009. Loss of lives and livelihood from Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng would dampen the mood for irrational spending of bonuses anyway.
Schools should also find creative ways of holding Christmas parties aside from the usual pot luck and exchange gifts that burden parents this time of the year. Maybe this is the best time to teach kids to share with the less fortunate? Why not throw a simple party for street kids, orphans or the elderly for a change?
Besides, Christmas should really be a more spiritual undertaking. Let this season be more of a blessing blitz than a spending bonanza.
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Happy 3rd Birthday Philip Angelo Palisada. Daddy and Mommy love you.