President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warned local officials against pocketing or misusing the P8.6 billion allocated for the rehabilitation of communities hit by disasters.
“Pera po ito ng taumbayan at para ito sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta,” Marcos said during the turnover of funds under the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) at Malacañan Palace on Thursday, Nov. 5.
The President said the money should not be used to enrich officials or contractors at the expense of disaster victims.
“Hindi ito pondo para pagkakitaan at hindi rin ito pondo para sa sinumang gustong magpayaman sa gitna ng ating mga nararamdaman na trahedya.”
Marcos Jr. specifically prohibited ghost projects, kickbacks and substandard rehabilitation works.
“Bawal ang ghost projects. Bawal ang mga komisyon. Bawal mga substandard na rehabilitation projects,” he said.
The P8.6-billion fund will finance the repair of damaged roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, evacuation centers and public buildings, as well as the rehabilitation of agricultural resources.
The assistance covers 306 local government units affected by disasters from 2024 to 2026.IMT
