Comelec can expedite spending ban exemption of Agaton-hit LGUs —commissioner

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is willing to speed up the exemption of local government units hit by Tropical Depression Agaton from the campaign period spending ban, poll commissioner George Garcia said Monday.

“We are fully aware of the presence of calamity and there are certain calamity funds allocated for this kind of incidents. If only the LGUs, without particularly naming the LGUs, can immediately go to the Comelec, file something with the Comelec, we can expedite everything,” Garcia said in an interview on ANC.

“We can even forego hearing on the case and based on the evidence available and we can always take cognizance of the fact that indeed there was a storm, there was a calamity,” he added.

Garcia noted that the Comelec already approved the exemption of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD)—which provides relief assistance—from the election spending ban.

Comelec’s Resolution No. 10747 prohibits the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds during the campaign period from March 25 until May 8.

It allows exemptions from the spending ban provided that a certificate of exemption is secured to implement activities and programs on social welfare projects and services.

A total 136,390 people or 86,515 families were affected so far by Agaton in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday.

A total of 52 houses were damaged—49 partially and three totally—in Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.

Also, a total of P874,000 worth of damage in agriculture were also reported in Soccsksargen and Bangsamoro, the NDRRMC said.—AOL, GMA News