Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos has strongly denied the claim of Senior Board Member Dionisio Victor Balite that the latter was denied transparency in the halls of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), according to a report released by the camp of the vice governor.
This comes after Balite’s request for a detailed breakdown of the spending of Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management (LDRRM) fund for calendar year 2021 was allegedly not given due consideration by Relampagos.
During the regular session on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Relampagos answered, head-on, all of Balite’s assertions, which was released as a news story in another local weekly newspaper.
The camp of Relampagos said the newspaper did not bother to verify the accuracy of Balite’s statements.
During the said regular session, Relampagos vehemently denied Balite’s allegations that the latter was belittled by the former, as the vice governor reportedly denied the board member’s request for the detailed expenditures of the 2021 LDRRM fund.
RELAMPAGOS’ REPLY TO THE ISSUE
Relampagos used the other matters portion of the regular session on Tuesday, to explain his side and correct insinuations over his alleged reluctance to act on Balite’s request for a detailed breakdown of the LDRRM funds expenditure.
“I would like to take up a matter that is a reaction to the privilege speech of the Senior Board Member [Balite] which has been taken up by the mainstream media, particularly, dyRD and the Bohol Chronicle. In fact, in the Bohol Chronicle issue last Sunday dated March 06, 2022, part of the front page news there says, “Quest for transparency will continue – BM Balite”. In the said news article, it says here that the Vice Governor has ignored the query in the halls of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The same news article also says that the Hon. Senior Board Member Balite lambasted the Vice Governor for belittling his [Balite’s] request on the detailed expenditures on the usage of the fund which did not even indicate as to how much was spent for the Typhoon Odette victims and how much for the COVID-19 [Coronavirus disease] Assistance Program,” the vice governor said during the regular seasion.
“The same news article says that Balite said he felt insulted when Vice Governor Relampagos brushed aside his query and simply said, ‘It will probably be wise and advisable for you to see the Governor and talk to him heart to heart,’ Relampagos added.
“Balite, according to the news report, says that because of the reluctance of Relampagos to provide transparency, he will complete this week the communication to the concerned agencies. Accordingly, the Senior Board Member is also quoted by the same newspaper of having said that ‘Any elementary pupil would know what transparency means and how the Vice Governor was trying to beat around the bush by asking me what kind of information do you wish to know’ “, the vice governor quipped.
At this point, Relampagos denied the claims of Balite by saying he never ignored the query of the senior board member.
“I would like to state, for the record, since the Hon. Senior Board Member brought this before the public through dyRD and the Bohol Chronicle, that I did not ignore your query. The fact that I directed the Secretariat to direct the Provincial Budget Officer to give you a breakdown on the utilization of the 2021 Calamity Fund of the Provincial Government will speak for itself that you were not ignored. It’s just probably that the response did not meet your expectations but definitely, you were not ignored, Sir. I’m sorry for you that you felt that I belittled your request. May I again for the record correct, I did not belittle your request. I am very sorry that you felt belittled but definitely, that was not my intention, Sir. I have the highest respect for you,” Relampagos explained.
“Again, probably my response to your privilege speech was not to your expectation and I’m sorry for that. I am also sorry you felt insulted but never in my intention was it that I would want to insult you, Sir. You also said that there was reluctance on my part to provide transparency. No, Sir, there was no reluctance on my part. Again, you were provided with the utilization report but unfortunately, it did not meet your expectations,” Relampagos blurted out.
Relampagos clarified with The Bohol Tribune in a telephone interview that his apology was for Balite’s feelings not because he made a mistake of allegedly ignoring the request of the board member for the breakdown of the expenditures of the LDRRM fund.
The camp of Relampagos said that contrary to Balite’s allegations, after the board member’s privilege speech requesting the breakdown of LDRRM expenditures, it was Relampagos, as presiding officer, who instructed the Secretary to the SP, Dr. Bonifacio Quirog, to formally transmit to the Provincial Budget Officer Peter Ross Retural, the provincial lawmaker’s request in order to be given due course of action.
The instruction of Relampagos to Quirog shows that the vice governor never intended to “belittle” or “ignore” Balite’s request for a detailed breakdown of LDRRM fund expenses, according to Relampagos’ camp.
Based on Journal of Proceedings of the SP, it was Relampagos himself, who looked for ways to channel Balite’s query to the proper office.
REVELATION
Relampagos, during the said regular session, read the details of the breakdown of the spending of the LDRRM funds.
After Relampagos revealed the breakdown of the expenses he told Balite: “So, this is based on the summary of the Post-Closing Report, based on the data I was able to get from the Provincial Budget Office. Again, the MOOE [Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses] Transfer to Trust Fund that is P7,863,621.78, this includes for training, medical supplies, travelling, drugs & medicines and other MOOE that can be used for any calamity in the next 5 years and if it will not be used within the next 5 years, then and only then can it be reverted back to the general fund. In other words, the money that is being set aside under the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund which is a requirement of law that you have to provide this, if ever there is an unexpended amount, it will be reverted or transferred to the trust fund and it is good for utilization for the same purpose for which the fund was established within the next 5 years. Only after a period of 5 years that [fund] has not been expended or used can it be reverted back to the general fund,” Relampagos explained.
In response, Balite said: “Thank you very much, Hon. Chair [Relampagos]. Again, I would like to thank you, Sir, for reading the breakdown. As I have said before, I am not a CPA [Certified Public Accountant] and I am not belittling the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, especially you. Again, I am very thankful for what you have just said this afternoon. I would like to ask that what you have read, can we reproduce it in the airwaves or in the newsprint so that we would have the same answers to our Boholano constituents because I cannot just have an answer of my own, I am also asking for your answer and that of my fellow colleagues here. I am very thankful that you have read the breakdown this afternoon. Thank you very much, Sir, and I do hope that in the near future, the Hon. Governor will also have time to speak to me regarding this. Thank you very much, Hon. Chair.”
Accordingly, Relampagos replied: “Thank you, Hon. Balite. Precisely the reason why I took it up now within our Session is so that this will be part of our official record so all the Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will have a copy because you will have a copy of the Journal of Proceedings and all these that I said will be reflected therein. Including our friends in the media, if you want to know the breakdown, please get a copy of the Journal of Proceedings of our Session for today. Anyway, just to clear it up, in the social media post of the Bohol Chronicle, it says there that “Vice Governor Rene asked the Governor for transparency”, I did not say that. Please don’t put words into my mouth.”
BREAKDOWN
Relampagos read the breakdown of the expenditures of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) funds as provided by the Provincial Budget Office
during the regular session on Mar. 8, 2022.
The breakdown of DRRM funds and expenditures are as follows:
•Total DRRM Fund for 2021 is P 147,485,796.50
•Breakdown of DRRM Fund for 2021 (70%-30%)
a.) 70% (Disaster Preparedness Activities, Projects and Programs) -P103,240,057.55
b.) 30% (Quick Response)- P44,245,738.95
UTILIZATION/OBLIGATION
•Food
a.) 70% – P 60,956,605.00
b.) 30%- P44,170,292.72
Breakdown of Food Expenses– with the total of P105,126,897.72
•July 13, 2021
Commercial Rice (8 kilos per pack) for distribution to qualified additional affected families to address the ongoing threat of COVID- 19 per Contract Agreement No. 2021-113- P12,475,600.00
•December 23, 2021
Commercial Rice (8 kilos per pack) for distribution to qualified families affected by the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic to help address the problems and mitigate the difficulties by the Office of the Governor – P6,200,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Commercial Rice (8 kilos per pack) under Contact Agreement No. 2021-522 – P9,200,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Relief goods to all affected families of typhoon Odette with PO No. 2021-864-P5,430,980.00
•December 31, 2021
Commercial Rice (8 kilos per pack) for distribution to qualified families affected by the ongoing Covid 19 per Contract Agreement No. 2021-520-P9,880,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Relief goods to all affected families of typhoon Odette per PO No. 2021-862 dated December 27, 2021. -P12,006,025.00
•December 31, 2021
Relief goods to all affected families of typhoon Odette to alleviate the living conditions in this time of calamity through OPSWD per PO No. 2021-863 dated December 27(30% QRF)- P500,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Commercial Rice (8 kilos per pack) for distribution to qualified families affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with Contract No. 520 (30% QRF)-P25,764,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Commercial Rice (8 kilos per pack) for distribution to qualified families affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with Contract No. 2021-520 – P6,070,292.72
•December 31, 2021
Commercial Rice (8 kilos per pack) for distribution to qualified families affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with Contract Agreement No. 2021-525-
P8,800,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Commercial Rice (8 kilos per pack) for distribution to qualified families affected by ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with Contract Agreement No. 2021-525(30% QRF)- P8,800,000.00
The total food expenditure is P105,126,897.72
Training
a.) 70%-P1,845,371.00
b.) 30% – P0
Breakdown of Training Expenses
•December 10, 2021
Honorarium and transportation expenses for the instructors and facilitators of the Local DRMM Planning on December 15-17, 2021-P42,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Meals and snacks during the PDRRMO series of coordination meeting for LuwasKinabuhi on November 22, 2021 per Contract Agreement No. 2021-169
-P18,560.00
•December 31, 2021
Room accommodation with full board meals and access to full facility for Emergency First Response Dive Training of Tarsier 117 SRR Personnel per Contract Agreement No. 2021-147-P20,800.00
•December 31, 2021
Room accommodation with full board meals and access to full facility for Rescue Diver Training of TasrSier 117 SRR Personnel per Contract Agreement No. 2021-149
-P49,600.00
•December 31, 2021
Meals and snacks during the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Meetings on Sept. 29-30, 2021 and Oct. 01, 2021 with Contract Agreement No. 2021-114at Casa Rey Francis.- P49,035.00
•December 31, 2021
Room accommodation with full board meals and access to full facility for the Open Water Dive Training of Tarsier 117 SRR Personnel per Contract Agreement No. 2021-150 -P63,200.00
•December 31, 2021
Training package fee for Rescue Diver Training – a pre- requisite course of Tarsier 117 and SRR Personnel per Contract Agreement No. 2021-201 – P854,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Meals and snacks for the Capacity Development for MOSAR (high and low angle) of Tarsier 117 per Contract Agreement No. 2021-172 – P29,700.00
•December 31, 2021
Meals and snacks for the Capacity Development of Water Search and Rescue for Tarsier 117 per Contract Agreement No. 2021-173 -P29,700.00
•December 31, 2021
Catering services during the Capacity Development for basic Mountaineering Course of Tarsier 117 per Contract Agreement No. 2021-171 – -P14,850.00
•December 31, 2021
Room accommodation during the advance Open Water Dive training of Tarsier 117 SRR Personnel per Contract Agreement No. 2021-148 – P49,600.00
•December 31, 2021
Training kit and for use in printing of IEC materials for information dissemination in support to African Swine Fever and Coronavirus disease prevention per PO No. 2021-632- P162,496.00
•December 31, 2021
Catering services during the conduct of activities in support to African Swine Fever and Coronavirus disease per Contract No. 2021-131- P461,830.00
The total is P1,845,371.00
Drugs and Medicines Expenditure
•December 31, 2021
Medicines for Tarsier 117 Emergency Response Operations per PO 2021-698-P1,700,400.00
Medical, Dental and Laboratory Supplies
•November 15, 2021
Various PPEs and disinfecting supplies to address the ongoing threat of COVID- 19 per PO No. 2020-215
-P233,500.00
•December 6, 2021
Procurement of medical oxygen cylinder refill (main and portable) for use at the PDRRMO 117 per PO No. 2020-284 – P57,500.00
•December 24, 2021
Procurement of medical oxygen cylinder refill (main and portable) for use at the PDRRMO 117 per PO No. 2020-284 -P57,500.00
•December 24, 2021
Procurement of medical oxygen cylinder refill (main and portable) for use at the PDRRMO 117 per PO No. 2020-284dated May 06, 2020 -P88,550.00
•December 31. 2021
Drugs, medicines and medical supplies with PO No. 2021-163- P375,470.00
•December 31. 2021
Medical supplies per PO No. 2021-563dated Oct. 20, 2021- P4,109,406.00
The total is P4,921 ,926.00.
Representation
•December 6, 2021
Meals for PDRRMC Full Council Meeting held on July 14, 2021 -P52,000.00
Other MOOE
•June 8, 2021
Beef protein for the K9 unit at PDRRMO-Tarsier 117 under Po. No. 2021-056 -P77,250.00
•December 31, 2021
Meals for the series of meetings for PDRRMO on January 11, 12, 13, and Feb. 8, 9, 10, 11 and Feb. 12, 2021 -P78,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Second and final billing for the fabric/streamers for community consultations, project inspections with PO No. 2020-607 -P58,352.00
•December 31, 2021
Meals and snacks for BALDRRMO regular meeting on Feb. 26, 2021 per Contract Agreement No. 2020-198
-P32,640.00
•December 31, 2021
Meals and snacks for the PDRRMO series of coordination meeting for Luwas Kinabuhi under PPOC with Catering Contract No. 2021-193 – P7,800.00
•December 31, 2021
Meals and snacks for the PDRRMO Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Meeting on Feb. 19, 2021 and Coordination Meetings on March 17-19, 2021 per Contract Agreement No. 2020-179 – P59,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Meals and snacks for the PDRRMO Disaster Risk Assessment Meeting on Dec. 16 & 17, 2021 per Contract Agreement No. 2021-193 – P32,760.00
•December 31, 2021
Car rental services per PO No. 2021-603dated Oct. 28, 2021 – P59,868.00
•December 31, 2021
Power Sprayer for African Swine Fever and COVID-19 disease prevention per PO No. 2021-798 – P480,000.00
•December 31, 2021
Relief goods to all affected families of the typhoon Odette with PO No. 2021-865 – P35,860.00
•December 31, 2021
Medical Oxygen cylinder refill per PO No. 2020- 284dated May 6, 2020 – P54,050.00
The total of other MOOE is – P975,580.00
Communication Equipment
•Various computer components and materials for use in PDRRM Command Center/Tarsier 117 equipment upgrading under PO No. 2021-549 – P246,000.00
•Catch data cable, antenna towers and repeaters per PO No. 2021-511dated Sept. 29, 2021 -P323,264.00
The total of communication equipment cost is P569,264.00
Motor Vehicles
•4×4 wilderness search and rescue vehicle for Tarsier 117 Search and Rescue Team per PO No. 2021-536dates Oct. 12, 2021- P2,990,000.00
•2 units ambulance with PO No. 2021-580dated Oct. 22, 2021 – P5,990,000.00
•4×4 Crash and extrication Search and Rescue Team for use at PDRRMO/ Tarsier 117 per PO No. 2021-625
P3,987,000.00
The total motor vehicles expenditure is P12,967,000.00
Total payments made is P128,158,438.72
EXISTING CAPITAL OUTLAY EARMARKED FOR PROCUREMENT (WITH EXISTING PURCHASE REQUEST)
For Communication Equipment
•Communication equipment for monitoring and feedbacking during deployment in time of emergencies and disasters- P307,726.80
10 units communication equipment to be used in the communication, coordination and endorsement of inbound travellers (RR, APOR and OFWs) of BIATF Secretariat and Provincial Focal Persons with other LGUs – P103,870.00
•Upgrade of PDRRMO/Tarsier 117 mobile command center- P1,000,000.00
•IT equipment
for thcommunication section of PDRRM-Tarsier 117 seven substations -P320,951.00
•Purchase of equipment for mobile command operations
-P677,108.50
The total cost of communications equipment is P2,409,656.30
For Disaster Response and Rescue Equipment
•Water safety equipment for Tarsier 117 search and rescue operations -P261,534.70
•Standards SAR personal protective equipment for Tarsier 117 search and rescue operations- P354,450.00
•Strut, portable searchlight and accessories for vehicle extrication for TaRSIER 117 search and rescue team-
P1,280,000.00
•High angle equipment for TaRSIER 117 search and rescue operations- P1,100,371.60
The total for disaster response and rescue equipment is P2,996,356.30
BALANCE OF CAPITAL OUTLAY APPROPRIATION FOR EARMARKING
•Other Structures: P 2,000,000.00
•Communication Equipment P1,021,079.70
•Disaster Response and Rescue Equipment P1,104,015.30
•Other Machinery and Equipment P1,899,628.40
•Motor Vehicles P33,000.00
The total obligation with earmarked capital is
P 139,622,174.72
OUTLAY AND CONTINUING APPROPRIATION
for capital outlay 2021 DRRM fund transferred to DRRM trust fund is P 7,863,621.78
The total DRRM fund for 2021 is P 147,485,796.50