Provincial board questions PDRRMO’s proposed P59-M budget for 2027

Local

THE Cebu Provincial Board has questioned the P59 million allocation of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) for training expenses alone for 2027.

During the Nov. 12 budget deliberation of the Provincial Board's Committee on Budget and Appropriations, ABC President and ex-officio board member Celestino "Tining" Martinez III, who chairs the committee, asked what these trainings were and who would be trained.

PDRRMO Chief Dennis Pastor said the training would cover all responders and other disaster risk reduction and management stakeholders.

Cebu Province has around 1,500 DRRM personnel and responders in various towns and cities.

Cited during the hearing was the Joint Memorandum Circular of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Department of the Interior and Local Government regarding the allocation and utilization of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), which mandates systematic monitoring of funds based on specific categories, such as training and travel expenses, among others, as these are specific account codes provided in the circular.

Martinez said the memorandum is just a "menu" or a set of guidelines on DRRM expenditures.

Martinez also noted that local government units (LGUs) in the province have their own DRRM funds, which they can utilize for their training, while the PDRRMO will only augment and supervise these efforts.

Martinez emphasized that he had no problem with conducting training since they are necessary. However, his concern was where the funds were allocated, emphasizing the need to allocate more funds for the office's necessary resources.

He cited the water impounding facilities, which have only a P1 million allocation and have identified only two LGUs as beneficiaries.

He suggested identifying more LGUs where water impounding facilities could be established, especially with the anticipated impact of Super El Niño and the possibility of more strong typhoons afterward.

Martinez also noted that there are only two warehouses, located in Danao and Sibonga, emphasizing the need to consider the strategic placement of warehouses and emergency equipment across the province.

Aside from the southern and northern warehouses, Cebu is also planning to put up a warehouse in western Cebu.

"So with the money man gud that we have, like I said, I am not against training. I would prefer training and at the same time, gawas sa training naay sakto nga capability ang atoang DRRM office. Because wala may mahimo ang atong mga personnel, even if they are there in the different districts, kung lawas ra ug kalag ang naa, pero ang kapasidad pag-implement wala," Martinez said.

"Now, we have enough money there, more than enough nga atong gigamit for training. I would like to consider na there would be something more," he added.

Board Member Raymond Joseph Calderon also noted the training for women, youth, and the elderly and questioned whether these were necessary or mandatory.

Pastor said these training courses are also part of the joint memorandum circular's provisions on engaging subsectors.

Calderon suggested that funds for youth training do not necessarily have to be sourced from the PDRRMO, as the Provincial Youth Commission (PYC) already has a sufficient budget.

"If we really come to think of it, para sa pagkuha sa resources nato, we are mandated to give one percent sa youth. Naglibog na gani sila unsay buhaton aning one percent. So maybe we can channel the funds there," Calderon said.

Board Member Red Duterte suggested equipping each municipal DRRM office with equipment and other resources, especially in fourth- and fifth-class municipalities with limited DRRM budgets.

"So with this kind of budget nato sa province, what if we purchase for them and train them on how to use these equipments, and maybe probably disburse bitaw what we have, and empower the local DRRs," Duterte suggested.

Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas explained that the proposed P59 million allocation is based on their interpretation of the PDRRMO's proposed activities.

He noted that the entire allocation would not necessarily be used solely for training, as some proposed activities could also require supplies and other materials.

Martinez said they would discuss the matter further with the committee members during the budget deliberation.(MyTVCebu)