DBM: Gov’t can use P6.8B calamity fund

The Philippine government still has a disaster response fund of P6.8 billion this year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on 3 November.

DBM explained that, in the aftermath of natural disasters and other calamities, concerned agencies can still tap the remaining P6,863,219,462 funds available for the rest of 2022, subject to applicable provisions in the 2022 General Appropriations Act.

"The remaining balance of P6.8 billion is part of the total P20 billion budget allocated for disaster risk reduction and management for this year," said the DBM statement.

"Please note that under the 2022 GAA, P19 billion was allocated for programmed appropriations in the NDRRMF, while P1 billion has been set aside for the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program."

DBM proposed P31 billion in the 2023 NDRRMF budget, an increase of P11 billion from the 2022 budget.

DBM issued the statement after Severe Tropical Storm "Paeng" battered many parts of the country, leaving at least 121 fatalities.