The senator raises a question about the sourcing of the budget in the amount of 61 billion Philippine pesos, allocated for the market with investigations in the Bicol region after serious investigations into the territory. Senator Huel Villanueva noted that in 2023 and 2024, 61 billion pesos were allocated for the market with investigations in Bicol, but the tropical storm Christian seems to have a significant impact, ostensibly without the necessary opposition from the previous authorities.
"I hope this will be addressed during discussions on the budget for the interested agencies," said Villanueva.
However, some officials stated that no billions were allocated for the budget on the market with investigations in the Bicol region. The chair of the budget committee in the Zaldy House stated: "There is no basis for claims about billions allocated for the market with investigations in Bicol." At the same time, the Senate President Chiz Escudero expressed the same sentiment, requiring accountability from state agencies.
"We are moving forward, however, we will not only require accountability but also ensure that the budget for 2025 presents proactive measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring again, as well as adequate rehabilitation and responses in case of similar disasters in the future," he added.
