LINGAYEN—Officials of local government units (LGUs) have been called on to increase their disaster-preparedness funds and strengthen their programs that will minimize risks during calamities.

At the 10th Disaster Risk Reduction and Multi-Hazard Awareness Forum held at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center here last June 13, Senator Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III and Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan campaigned for more proactive measures and called on municipal and city officials to allocate a bigger portion of their budgets for it.

LGUs are required under the law to allocate 5% of the budget as disaster fund.

Citing 20 typhoons that hit the nation every year, Baraan advised the local officials to begin relocating informal settlers living beside riverbanks.

Baraan also reiterated the need to organize community-based groups to respond to emergencies during calamities.

Further, Baraan batted for passage of an ordinance in the towns that will prohibit the destruction of mountains that serve as “natural protection structure”.

BIGGER PIE

On the other hand, Pimentel cited his pet bill – the “bigger pie, bigger size” bill – that proposes that the disaster management fund of the national and local governments be allocated from national taxes rather instead of being sourced from the internal revenue allotment (IRA).

The bill also proposes that instead of the present IRA sharing of 60%-40% both national and local governments should equally get 50% from the national taxes.

“The bill is one measure towards further strengthening and increasing their degree of autonomy,” he said–Johanne R. Macob

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