MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government on Friday assured it is ready to allot necessary funds for the relocation of families living in Taal Volcano Island amid a threat of a hazardous eruption.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said the government is prepared to implement massive resettlement for families directly affected by the eruption.
However, this plan may only proceed if local government units (LGUs) can secure available residential land for the government’s housing project.
“The government is ready to assist if there will be a need for massive resettlement, provided the LGUs can give us the lots where the people will be resettled,” he said.
“Actually, all interventions ang number one problem is availability ng residential lands,” he added.
Hundreds of families may lose their home and livelihood should the implementation of “no man’s land” in Taal Volcano be strictly enforced.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the recommendation of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to declare Taal Island as a “no man’s land” or a permanent danger zone, prohibiting any habitation.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) assured there are enough resources to assist victims of calamities despite a slash on its budget for the fiscal year of 2020.
The NDRRMC has been allotted with P16 billion budget this year, a bit lower than the P20-billion in 2019.
“Makakaasa pa rin po ang ating mga kababayan na kung ano ang pondo na isinantabi ng pamahalaan, binadyet ng pamahalaan, nilaan ng pamahalaan para sa atin, gagamitin po natin ‘yan sa pinakamagaling na paraan upang magkasya ito sa ating pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin,” NDRRMC Spokesperson Mark Timbal said. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Rosalie Coz)
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