Multi-billion-peso reimbursement eyed for Guimaras rehab

THE Philippine government will seek reimbursement from the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Fund “and other appropriate sources’’ for its expenses in the Guimaras oil spill cleanup, a ranking House member said on Wednesday.

Camarines Sur Reresentative Luis Villafuerte said Congress inserted in the 2006 supplemental budget a provision requiring the budget and finance departments and the National Disaster Coordinating Council to seek repayment from the IOPC Fund for all spending, including aid to victims, related to the oil spill.

Villafuerte, chairman of the House committee on fisheries and aquatic resources, said Congress initially provided a total of P1.35 billion for the cleanup and rehabilitation of all areas affected by the disaster.

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