National disaster fund down to P1.9 billion for remainder of 2024

MANILA, Philippines – As the country reels from the devastation brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) is down to P1.9 billion for the remainder of 2024, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reported on Friday, October 25.

In a meeting in Malacañang on Friday, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that as of Thursday, October 24, the NDRRMF had a total available balance of P1.983 billion, of which P1.845 billion is from the 2024 General Appropriations Act, and the remaining P139 million from 2023 Continuing Appropriations.

The total appropriation for the NDRRMF from the beginning of the year was P22.74 billion. After subtracting P1 billion in parametric insurance, and P19.75 billion in special allotment release order (SARO) releases, the remainder is P1.983 billion.

The NDRRMF is distinct from the Quick Response Fund (QRF), which is lodged in several government agencies, such as the departments of public works and highways, defense, education, social welfare, and agriculture. The QRF is a built-in budgetary allocation that represents pre-disaster or standby funds that agencies use to immediately assist areas affected by disasters.

When the agencies’ QRF gets depleted, they may request the DBM for replenishment from the NDRRMF.

Pangandaman said that from the remaining P1.9 billion balance, the agencies had pending SARO requests amounting to a total of a little over P1 billion: P1 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), P25 million from the Philippine National Police which is attached to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Office of Civil Defense, which is requesting replenishment of P37.5 million.

Once the SARO requests are granted, the remaining balance of the NDRRMF will be P921.4 million.

Local government units also have access to QRFs which may be accessed when a state of calamity is declared in their area. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Friday that the QRFs of all affected LGUs were virtually exhausted.

“The President has made available to the affected LGUs the QRFs of the DPWH, DILG, DA (Department of Agriculture), and the [Department of National Defense]. Furthermore, the President will have a dialogue with the Bicol leaders to put together a comprehensive resiliency plan in place,” Remulla said.

But there are still available funding sources, Pangandaman said, citing Section 22 of the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management law. Under this section, all government departments, bureaus, offices, and agencies are required to use a portion of their budget to implement projects designed to address disaster risk reduction and management.

“For example, under the DPWH, they still have a balance of P4.38 billion, which I think they have been using it, that can cover maintenance of regularly [performing] on national roads and bridges throughout the year. The maintenance activities include among others, various work categories, such as temporary repairs of roadways, shoulder maintenance, drainage maintenance, replacement of pavements, among others,” said Pangandaman.

The budget secretary added that should the government still need more, the Bureau of Treasury is still another option.

“Assuming we need more, Mr. President, we still have…. I just received a certification from the Bureau of Treasury, Department of Finance, for unprogrammed appropriations. So, assuming, we need more funding, Mr. President, we can tap the unprogrammed appropriations,” she said.

Kristine heavily battered the Philippines, especially Southern Luzon, impacting over 2.6 million people and killing at least 13. At least 21 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity as of Friday morning. – Rappler.com