DBM: P6.8 billion calamity fund still available

MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday stated that government agencies involved in disaster response may utilize the PHP6.8-billion calamity fund that is still available for this year.

This comes after the DBM provided an update on the status of the country’s national disaster risk reduction and management fund (NDRRMF), stating that the balance for 2022 is PHP6,863,219,462.

“One cannot always predict the frequency, magnitude and impact of any disaster. But at all times, the DBM believes that it is always better to be prepared,” the DBM said in a statement.

“In the aftermath of natural disasters and other calamities, concerned agencies can tap on the remaining PHP6,863,219,462 in NDRRMF for the rest of 2022, subject to applicable provisions in the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA),” it added.

In the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a state of calamity for six months in the areas of Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

According to the Proclamation 84, the four regions have been placed under a state of calamity to allow the government and the private sector to hasten the rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The proclamation also intends to provide sufficient time for the national government and local government units (LGUs) to allocate funding for rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.

The remaining PHP6.8 billion, according to the DBM, is part of the overall PHP20 billion budget earmarked for disaster risk reduction and management for this year.

“Please note that under the 2022 GAA, PHP19 billion was allocated for programmed appropriations in the NDRRMF, while PHP1 billion has been set aside for the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (MRRP),” it said.

Intensifying government response efforts

The DBM also indicated a substantial increase in the 2023 NDRRMF to enhance the government’s response to natural disasters.

The agency stressed that the proposed calamity fund for 2023 was at PHP30 billion, higher than the PHP20 billion approved for 2022.

On top of the PHP30 billion, there was also a proposed PHP1-billion budgetary allocation for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Fund under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the DBM added.

“This is an PHP11-billion increase from the current 2022 GAA NDRRMF Budget of PHP20 billion,” the agency said.

“The increase is in adherence to the directive of the President to transform the economy into something that is proactive rather than reactive, and to strengthen the country’s readiness and response efforts in times of disasters,” it added.

According to Senate Finance Committee chairperson Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, the Senate is now reviewing and adjusting the proposed calamity fund for 2023.

Angara, citing recent earthquakes and typhoons, stated that the Senate finance committee is open to improvements that may strengthen the government’s response to natural disasters.