Government releases P18B for disaster response

The Department of Finance (DOF) on Wednesday assured the public that the government has sufficient funds to provide aid to communities devastated by recent typhoons and earthquakes.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized the government’s responsibility to deliver immediate assistance to Filipinos affected by natural disasters, saying the national coffers remain strong and capable of supporting relief and recovery operations.

“Mahalaga na laging may nakahandang pondo ang gobyerno para sa agarang tugon sa mga emergencies. Bilang pambansang fundraiser, sinisiguro namin sa DOF na tayo ay may sapat na pondo at kakayahan na agad na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng bawat Pilipino sa oras ng kalamidad (It is important that the government has funds ready for immediate response to emergencies. As the national fundraiser, we in the DOF ensure that we have enough funds and the capability to immediately respond to the needs of every Filipino in times of calamities),” Recto said.

According to the DOF, the national government has already disbursed P17.85 billion of the P21-billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF), also known as the Calamity Fund, as of 9 November 2025.

Appropriated annually, the Calamity Fund supports disaster risk reduction, prevention, and preparedness activities, as well as immediate aid, relief, and rehabilitation services in the aftermath of natural disasters.

The DOF added that the government also maintains a Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the national budget, allocated to key agencies as a standby resource for rehabilitation and recovery in disaster-stricken areas. As of 10 November, the national government has released P13.96 billion under the QRF, including continuing appropriations from 2024.

This month alone, the latest QRF release amounted to P1.68 billion to support relief, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts across regions hit by recent earthquakes and Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan, the DOF said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will receive the bulk of the fund — P1 billion — to bolster recovery and rehabilitation programs in areas affected by African swine fever and 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 allocation to provide family food packs, non-food essentials, relief goods, and emergency cash transfers to 58,962 affected families, while the PCG will enhance its relief, rehabilitation, and search-and-rescue operations in heavily affected areas.

The DOF also said Recto has issued a circular directing government financial institutions (GFIs) and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to fast-track their support and service delivery in disaster-hit communities.

In compliance, the Land Bank of the Philippines has released P5.8 million in cash assistance to local government units (LGUs) in Cebu to aid earthquake-affected families. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) are likewise extending emergency and calamity loans to qualified members and pensioners, while the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) is offering calamity loans and insurance claims for affected housing loan borrowers.

Members with minor property damage may also avail of short-term loans for immediate repair and recovery. Land Bank is likewise facilitating salary loans for employees of government agencies and private firms with payroll accounts under the bank in affected areas.

In addition, the state-owned lender is providing recovery loans for farmers, fishers, cooperatives, MSMEs, corporations, and electric distribution utilities to help restore business operations and promote community recovery.