The Department of Finance (DOF) is enhancing the country’s disaster response by financing calamity funds to ensure the rapid delivery of relief and the immediate rehabilitation of communities affected by recent earthquakes and typhoons.
“It is important that the government always has funds ready for immediate response to emergencies,” said Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.
“As the national fundraiser, we assure the DOF that we have sufficient funds and capabilities to immediately address the needs of every Filipino in times of calamity.”
As of Nov. 9, the national government has already released P17.85 billion under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF). The NDRRMF is appropriated annually to support disaster risk reduction, prevention, and preparedness activities, as well as immediate aid, relief, and rehabilitation services after a calamity.
The national government also annually sets aside resources for the Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the national budget, allocating them to key government agencies as a standby fund for the rehabilitation and recovery of communities affected by calamities and other national emergencies.
As of Nov. 10, the national government has released P13.96 billion under the QRF, including continuing appropriations from 2024.
The latest QRF release in November totaled P1.68 billion to support immediate relief, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts across regions affected by the onslaught of recent earthquakes and Typhoon Tino and Supertyphoon Uwan.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will receive the bulk, P1 billion, to strengthen its recovery and rehabilitation programs in regions affected by African swine fever and the recent tropical cyclones.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will receive P631.03 million and P53.01 million, respectively.
The DSWD will use its funds to provide family food packs, non-food essentials, relief goods, and emergency cash transfers to 58,962 families.
The PCG will ramp up its relief, rehabilitation, and search-and-rescue operations in calamity-stricken areas.
Aside from ensuring sufficient funding for the country’s recovery, Recto also recently issued a DOF circular ordering government financial institutions (GFIs) and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to expedite the rollout of services and ground support to the affected areas.
Several GOCCs and GFIs have quickly responded. Last month, Secretary Recto and Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) President and CEO Lynette Ortiz personally handed over a total of P5.8 million worth of cash assistance to local government units (LGUs) in Cebu to support earthquake-affected families. They also distributed 2,600 packs of relief goods.
The Finance Chief also headed to Davao Oriental to hand over cash assistance totaling P900,000, and led the distribution of 1,000 grocery packs to displaced families in Mati City and Manay.
In response to the directive, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) are providing qualified members and pensioners with emergency and calamity loans. The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) is also extending calamity loans and insurance claims for affected housing loan borrowers.
