Section 1October 17, 2006, Sec./Art. 1

Appropriations. - The sum of Five hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as standby fund for the following purposes:

(a) Clean up of the oil spill off the Province of Guimaras and for livelihood and other assistance for the victims of the oil spill

P400,000,000.00

(b) Relief operations for the victims of the eruption of Mayon Volcano

P50,000,000.00

(c)Emergency repatriation fund under Republic Act No. 8042, the Migrant Workers Act of 1995, which shall be used for the repatriation, evacuation and relief of Overseas Filipino Workers and other Filipino nationals

P50.000.000.00

P500,000,000.00

The amounts herein appropriated shall be used for the purpose indicated and subject to the applicable provisions under Republic Act No. 9336, the FY2005 General Appropriations Act, as reenacted.

Such funds shall be released to the relevant departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and local government units (LGUs) in accordance with budgeting laws, rules and regulations: Provided, That the amount of Two hundred million pesos (P200,000,000.00) shall be used for livelihood and other assistance to the victims of the Guimaras oil spill and shall be released directly to the provincial governments of Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and other affected LGUs identified by the National Disaster Coordinating Council: Provided, further, That the fishermen who were deprived of their livelihood due to the oil spill shall be given priority by the LGUs in providing such livelihood and other assistance.

The clean up operations for the Guimaras oil spill shall be undertaken in consultation with the appropriate departments of the University of the Philippines System.