President Marcos warns LGUs against graft in P8.6 billion disaster recovery funds

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned local government units (LGUs) against corruption in the use of disaster rehabilitation funds during the turnover of Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) funds at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Nov. 5.

Marcos said the P8.645 billion allocated to 306 disaster-affected LGUs must be used solely for rebuilding communities and restoring livelihoods, stressing that "there must be no room for corruption" in the program.

He warned against ghost projects, kickbacks and substandard rehabilitation works, adding that anyone who profits from the suffering of disaster victims would face the full force of the law.

The president said the funds, sourced from taxpayers, are intended to help communities recover from calamities and should not be used for personal gain.

According to a Philippine News Agency report, the national government has approved P8.645 billion in assistance for LGUs affected by disasters from 2024 to 2026, with P6 billion already released and more than P2.5 billion approved for a second tranche.

The funding will support the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public buildings and evacuation centers, as well as the recovery of agriculture, housing, education, health services and local livelihoods.

Marcos also said assistance would be distributed based on need rather than political affiliation and urged local officials to improve disaster impact reporting to help authorities deliver aid more quickly.

Marcos reaffirmed the government's commitment to helping disaster-hit communities rebuild and strengthen their resilience against future calamities.

Paraluman News with a report of Ruth Abbey Carlos/Philippine News Agency