President Arroyo is hoping for the immediate passage of the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Recovery Act” pending in Congress that would give additional allocation for local government units (LGUs) to prepare for an impending disaster.

She said the Bill was already passed in the Senate but is still pending at the House of Representatives.

“It’s a comprehensive program… in connection with climate change adaptation efforts,” Arroyo said.

She said that with the passage of the said bill, LGUs would be able to allocate more than five percent for disaster risk reduction.

“They can spend for preparation, stockpiling, which they cannot do now under the law,” Arroyo said.

Currently, LGUs can only use five percent of their internal revenue allotment (IRA) for actual calamity, Arroyo said.

The chief executive explained that disaster risk reduction is a part of the government’s priority as a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol in 2005 following the great tsunami that hit most parts of Asia and the Pacific.

“That is what we’re working on. We’re in the process of working on our own medium and long term plan on disaster risk reduction,” Arroyo said.