Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said, in a radio interview last Christmas Day, that President Rodrigo Duterte will expedite the review and signing of the proposed 2022 General Appropriations Act to ensure that the government hits the ground running on the New Year for the rehabilitation of areas hard hit by Typhoon Odette, and the post Covid-19 pandemic recovery.

"Minadali na po ni Pangulong Duterte para po pagtuntong ng January 1 o January 3, mayroon na ho tayong working budget. Hindi lang ho dito para sa typhoon but para dito sa COVID response po natin walang maputol na momentum upang makabalik tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay," Go said.

Duterte is set to approve the proposed 2022 national budget before the year ends. Otherwise, the government will run under a reenacted budget or the national budget for 2021.

Meanwhile, Duterte issued Proclamation No. 1267 putting Regions IV-B, VI, VII, VIII, X, and XIII under a state of calamity to fast track all rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation efforts there.

"Inatasan na po ni Pangulo Duterte ang Armed Forces at ang pulis at ang Defense Department, ang DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), even Coast Guard, DOTR (Department of Transportation), to undertake all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas.

"Pati po lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno na may mga Quick Response Fund katulad po ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), ng DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), magbigay kaagad ng livelihood sa mga beneficiaries doon," he continued.

The senator added that the Department of Agriculture was also directed by Duterte to distribute seeds and boats to the farmers and fisherfolk, respectively, who were affected by the disaster. On the other hand, the National Housing Authority will provide PhP100 million worth of housing assistance to each province affected.

"Sinabi ni Pangulo, kung kakailanganing hindi siya magpa-Pasko, hindi kami magpa-Pasko. Basta importante rito mga kababayan natin, makatulong kaagad, makabalik sila kahit papano sa kanilang pamumuhay, na makabalik sila sa bahay nila na wala pong gutom," the senator said.