DBM: P6.8-B calamity fund available

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced on Thursday that PHP6.8 billion from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) remains available for 2022 to support disaster response efforts.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of calamity in Regions IV-A, V, VI, and BARMM due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, allowing government agencies to utilize the remaining PHP6.8 billion in NDRRMF funds.

The DBM noted that under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA), P19 billion was allocated for programmed appropriations in the NDRRMF and P1 billion for the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program (MRRP).

To enhance disaster readiness, the DBM increased the NDRRMF to PHP30 billion plus a PHP1 billion budgetary allocation for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Fund under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP), in line with the President's directive to transform the economy into one that is proactive rather than reactive.