November 13, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The government has used nearly P18 billion from the national calamity fund to support disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts across the country from January to Nov. 9, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
In a statement released yesterday, the DOF said up to P17.85 billion under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) have been disbursed for calamity and other response efforts.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said it is important to maintain a readily available fund to ensure swift government response to emergencies.
“As the national fund raiser, we at the DOF ensure that the government has sufficient funds and the capacity to immediately respond to the needs of every Filipino during times of calamity,” Recto said.
Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that the NDRRMF has an appropriated budget of P21 billion, with P20 billion allocated for the NDRRM program and P1 billion for the People’s Survival Fund.
This means that the government can still tap around P3.2 billion from the NDRRMF until the end of this year.
“Appropriated every year, the NDRRMF supports disaster risk reduction, prevention and preparedness activities, as well as immediate aid, relief and rehabilitation services after a calamity,” the DOF said.
The finance department said the government also allotted in the national budget resources for the quick response fund (QRF), providing key government agencies with a standby fund to support the rehabilitation and recovery of communities affected by calamities and other emergencies.
Recently, the DBM approved the release of P1.68 billion to replenish the QRF of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
Of the amount, P1 billion was released to the DA for recovery and rehabilitation programs in regions affected by African swine fever and tropical cyclones.
Aside from securing funding for recovery programs, the DOF also directed government financial institutions and government-owned and controlled corporations to accelerate delivery of services as well as provide on-the-ground support in areas severely hit by calamities.