The government remains ready to support efforts to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said yesterday, as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) still stands at P15.507 billion.
The amount forms part of the total P20.5 billion allocated for the NDRRMF in 2024.
The available balance consists of the remaining P14.85 billion from the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and P653.7 million from the 2023 continuing appropriations.
The available balance is also inclusive of P1 billion allocated for the parametric insurance coverage of government facilities against natural calamities.
This allocation is on top of the built-in Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the amount of P7.925 billion allocated to the several government agencies.
“We are prepared to support all operations that seek to cushion the negative impacts of the dry spell affecting various provinces in the country. Our data shows that as of April 24 this year, the disaster relief fund stands at over P15 billion,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
“Aside from that, several identified agencies may mobilize their QRF allocated in their respective budgets when necessary, in accordance with the respective special provisions for QRF,” she added.
The NDRRMF shall be used for aid, relief and rehabilitation services to communities/areas; as well as repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction works in connection with the occurrence of natural or human-induced calamities in the current or two preceding years, subject to the approval of the President.
The fund also serves as an additional funding source of agencies whose budgets include provisions for QRF when the balance thereof has reached 50 percent, subject to the approval of the DBM.
Apart from the NDRRMF, the government has also allocated a total of P4.5 billion for the Crop Insurance Program of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC).
PCIC’s authorized appropriation of P4.5 billion under the 2024 GAA is expected to cover the full cost of crop insurance premiums of over 2.292 million targeted farmers.
