ILOILO City – Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) – Panay has expressed concern over the Iloilo City Government’s allocation of its Quick Response Fund (QRF), fearing that most of the P21.5 million released after the recent state of calamity declaration may not directly address the urgent needs of thousands displaced by tropical cyclones “Crising”, “Dante”, and “Emong”.
On July 30, the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) and Mayor Raisa Treñas to place the city under a state of calamity.
CDRRMO data showed that 56,881 residents were affected — 44,723 by flooding and 12,158 by storm surges — out of an exposed population of 240,304, with a projected affected population of 38,062. These figures meet the threshold for calamity declaration under the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
From the QRF, P20 million is earmarked for site development of relocation areas in barangays West Habog-habog and San Juan, Molo district, while only P1.4 million is allocated for food assistance and P100,000 for vegetable seeds.
In a statement, BAYAN-Panay said, “The QRF is meant for immediate, life-saving interventions — such as food, potable water, emergency shelter, and sanitation — not for infrastructure or capital outlay. Site development is a long-term rehabilitation measure and must be funded through a separate budget, not at the expense of urgent needs.”
“Priority must be given to providing emergency shelter kits so families can repair damaged homes, along with sufficient food assistance that will sustain them for weeks — not just days,” the group stressed. “These are the essential needs of disaster survivors, not overpriced construction projects that benefit contractors more than communities.”
BAYAN-Panay called for transparency in the QRF disbursement./PN
