22 local government units (LGU) were caught ill-prepared in times of disaster by not allocating the appropriate disaster risk reduction fund, the Commission on Audit (COA) said.

In its 2015 consolidated report on the audit of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Fund, state auditors said 22 LGUs failed to allocate the appropriate fund for the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) in the aggregate amount of P124,945,814.79.

This was a violation of Section 21 of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Act, “thus, there was no assurance that the DRRM projects and programs of the concerned LGUs have been fully and effectively implemented,” auditors said.

The provision of the law states that: “Not less than five percent (5%) of the estimated revenue from regular sources shall be set aside as the LDRRMF to support disaster risk management activities such as, but not limited to, pre- disaster preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving rescue equipment supplies and medicines, for post- disaster activities, and for the payment of premiums on calamity insurance.”

Auditors said the one LGU from the National Capital Region (NCR) failed to allocate the biggest number of LDRRMF – a whopping amount of P93,787,000.

NCR is followed by five LGUs from the Region IV-A with P15,227,965.26 unallocated amount, two LGUs from Region 1 with P8,570,874.88, and six LGUs from Region V with P6,994,742.75.

The COA recommended to the mayors of these LGUs to comply with the statutory appropriation of allocating not less than five percent of estimated revenue from regular sources to obtain the sufficient fund in carrying out the disaster risk management activities and attain the objective of the law.